Equiano sired the latest winner from his first northern crop when Strath Burn scored a commanding victory in the JLT Maiden Stakes (1000m) at Newbury on Thursday evening.

Strath Burn (2c Equiano – Irish Light by Irish River) flew the start on debut and led a group that raced down the centre of the track before angling to the grandstand rail at the 600m pole.  He left them standing in the final stages to put 8 lengths between the placegetters Judicial (Iffraaj) and Profitable (Invincible Spirit).

The winner is based nearby Newbury at the Faringdon Place stables of trainer Charlie Hills.  He is a younger half-brother to Polar Force who also won at Newbury on debut as a two year-old before earning a Group 1 placing in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

Strath Burn holds a Group 2 nomination for the Gimcrack Stakes at York on August 23.

The Equiano colt gave connections a quick return on their investment.  He was a 62,000 guineas (AUD 116,400) buy for Meikle Ben Stables at the Tattersalls Craven 2YO Sale in April.

Hills had a close association with Equiano when the champion sprinter was in his prime.  Before going out on his own, he was foreman for his father Barry Hills who trained Equiano to win two editions of the G1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot

Equiano (Fr) returns to Swettenham Stud for his third southern book this year at an unchanged fee of $16,500 (inc gst).