Yarradale Stud-bred graduate Cashel Palace has sprouted wings to open her black-type account in the LR Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic (1400m) at Ascot.

The Dan Morton-trained 3yo filly was spotting recent LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) winner London's Image (Headwater) six lengths well into the straight on Saturday but won running away by over a length.

Cashel Palace had broken her duck at Ascot on Melbourne Cup Day and was coming off a respectable fourth behind Storyville (Overshare) in the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m).  “This race was always on the radar and the form out of the Champion Fillies had stacked up in the WA Guineas,” Morton explained.  “They wound her out today and hopefully the owner Shane Stafford had a chunk of it over in Queensland.”

Cashel Palace paid $30 but punters won’t be afforded that luxury again any time soon.  “I think she’s going to be a serious horse next time in,” Morton predicted.  “She’s a beautiful filly and I’ve always had a lot of time for her.”

It was Morton’s third Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic in recent years following Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) in 2020 and Lusaha (More Than Ready) in 2016.  Yarradale sire War Chant (USA) had chimed in with War Room a year after Lusaha.

Winning jockey Lucy Fiore was bailed up in traffic following Wind And The Lion (Written By) but realised the favourite wasn’t travelling at the 600m pole.  “We were bolting and I knew we had to get out of there.  Thankfully, the way we cornered meant we didn’t lose any momentum and she let down super.”

Cashel Palace is one of 76 Stakes winners by Darley shuttler Street Boss (USA).  He sired a running double in the black-type department at Ascot when The Boss Lady later landed the LR Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m).  Saturday was also the anniversary of his Group 1 victory with the Morton-trained sprinter Elite Street in the 2020 Winterbottom Stakes.

Yarradale bred Cashel Palace from Burgoyne (War Chant) and sold her for $160,000 to Shane Stafford at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions.  Her half-brother by Brazen Beau made $375,000 at this year’s Perth Magic Millions and he’s with Grant and Alana Williams.

Burgoyne has slipped in the last two seasons to Playing God, however, her younger sister Just Like Silk (War Chant) foaled a colt first-up by the Champion WA Sire at Gidgegannup in October.

Their dam Saddler’s Silk (Barathea) was purchased by Yarradale from Darley in 2013.  She was a 2yo winner in Sydney and Brisbane prior to a Group 1 placing for trainer Garry Newham in the 2002 QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes won by Lovely Jubly (Lion Hunter).

Cashel Palace / Photo: Western Racepix