Gatting earned his first Stakes victory when he reeled in rival Final Salute nearing the wire to win the Listed Melvista Stakes at Ascot March 25.
It was the first Stakes victory for the three-year-old Hard Spun gelding, who improved his record to four wins, three seconds, and two third-place finishes in 11 career starts.
Racing at the rear of the field of 11 through the early stages of the race, Gatting began to close strongly on the leaders with just two furlongs left to run. Gatting swept past his rivals in the stretch, getting up in time to defeat Final Salute by a head.
Gatting was bred in Australia by Kingston Thoroughbreds and races for Impressive Racing Pty. Ltd. He is out of the mare Stubborn (by Lonhro), a full-sister to Graded Stakes winner Trim. Gatting’s second dam, Firm, won the G3 Smoke-Free Stakes.
Hard Spun is off to a strong start in 2017, having already sired five Stakes winners. In addition to Gatting, Hard Spun is the sire of Le Romain (G1 Canterbury BMW Stakes, G3 Southern Cross Stakes), Promising Run (G2 Al Rashidiya), Nomorerichblondes (G3 UAE Oaks), and Taghleeb (G3 W.L. McKnight).
Hard Spun is standing the 2017 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $45,000 stands and nurses.
