First North American winner by Equiano

Swettenham Stud shuttler Equiano (Fr) sired his first winner in North America when Lola Beaux scored a first-up victory at Penn National on Saturday.

Lola Beaux (GB) started favourite and sat off the pace in a 1700m turf allowance before drawing over a length clear for new owner Gregory Bentley.

The former Irish based filly had broken her maiden at Dundalk last September and then finished second to Qualify in the G3 Weld Stakes (1400m) at the Curragh.  The winner went on to a Group 1 victory in this year’s English Oaks.

Lola Beaux (3f Equiano – Polly Perkins by Pivotal) was originally raced by Ladbrokes PR manager Hayley O’Connor before crossing the Atlantic.  Her dam was a Sandown stakes winner and her Equiano filly cost 24,000 euros (AUD 34,770) at the 2013 Goffs Orby yearling sale.

Equiano has sired another three winners in England this week – The Tin Man (Doncaster), Sydney Ruffdiamond (Ascot) and Encantar (Carlisle) – to stay on top of the second-season table with 27 winners of 36 races.

Swettenham Stud stands Equiano for a $13,750 (inc gst) service fee.