Any Given Saturday sires winning double on Friday

Any Given Saturday started his stud career with a rush in England and Kentucky on Friday.  

The Darley shuttler sired his first winner when Ittasal scored at Kempton Park and he doubled up a few hours later with Saturday Launch at Ellis Park.

Any Given Saturday (Distorted Humor) shuttles from Darley Kentucky to its Victorian base at Northwood Park.  He will stand for a $13,750 (inc gst) at the Seymour stud this spring.

Ittasal (2f Any Given Saturday – Journalist by Night Shift) was very impressive after a slow getaway in the Totepool EBF Fillies’ Stakes (1400m).  Jockey Ted Durcan pushed her out for a commanding victory over Emmuska (Sir Percy) and Equity Card (Dubai Destination).

Bred by Darley, Ittasal is a half-sister to the stakes horses La Presse and Emirates Girl.  Their dam Journalist was G3 placed in the 1999 Princess Margaret Stakes at Royal Ascot.  It’s the family of English 1000 Guineas winner Las Meninas and top sprinter Kingsgate Native.

Journalist has a yearling filly by Exceed And Excel and a filly foal by Manduro.

Ittasal holds entries for the rich Weatherbys Insurance 2YO Stakes at Doncaster on September 8 and the Listed Totepool 2YO Trophy at Redcar on October 1.

Saturday Launch soared to victory at his second start over 1600m at Ellis Park.  The chestnut colt split the pack in the straight and took control for an ever widening two length victory.

Saturday Launch (2c Any Given Saturday – Ardum Relaunch by Cee’s Tizzy) was bred in Kentucky by Bloodstock Holdings.  Trained by Ken McPeek, he was a $65,000 buy at the Keeneland September yearling sale for owner Steve Baker.  His dam was stakes placed at Santa Anita and Del Mar.  

Any Given Saturday was a G1 winner of the Haskell Invitational defeating Curlin.  He was also victorious in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, G2 Dwyer Stakes, and G2 Brooklyn Handicap among others.

His first southern yearlings didn’t break any records earlier this year.  They averaged $18,160 at the majors off a $22,000 service fee in 2008.

Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent paid top price of $50,000 for the colt from Chauncy Lane (Sadler’s Wells) at the Inglis Classic Sale.  He has been named Malabar Man.