Blackfriars Century at Belmont

 

Champion stallion Blackfriars broke through the 100 wins barrier this season with Blackwood on Saturday.
Blackwood (2f Blackfriars – Karriwood by Tobougg) always looked the winner of the Budget Minibus Rental Plate (1400m) second-up at Belmont. She had scored on debut at Ascot last month for trainer Fred Kersley and owner-breeder Neville Duncan.
“She’s a class filly and the step-up to 1400 metres was never a worry,” stable rep Karen Kersley said. “She very relaxed and had them covered a long way out.”
Blackfriars has sired the winners of 100 races on three occasions – his best season was 124 wins in 2011-12. His full figures for the current season reads 59 individual winners of 100 races for progeny earnings of $3.49 million in Australia.
Duncan bred his first Blackfriars stakes winner with All Friared Up in the LR Beaufine Stakes (1000m) at Belmont in July 2011. His latest juvenile winner descends from Group 3 mare Canon Song (Rory’s Jester) who won the 1996 Merson-Cooper Stakes in Melbourne.
The Scenic Lodge champion has sired the winners of 5 city two year-old races this season and Black Cuban is another youngster knocking on the door. He came from last to fill third spot behind Blackwood on Saturday.
Black Heart Bart can bag another Group 1 for Blackfriars in The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville next Saturday, May 16. He travelled to Adelaide after Listed victories in the Cyril Flower Quality, Pinjarra Classic and Bunbury Stakes.
Scenic Lodge will stand Blackfriars for a $12,000 (plus GST) service fee this year – enormous value for a stallion unchallenged as Sunspeed’s champion sire since 2010-11.