Hard Spun's Ertijaal posts impressive win in G1 Cape Derby

It was clear from the beginning of the G1 Cape Derby that no one would be able to stop three-year-old Hard Spun colt Ertijaal. Ertijaal, now unbeaten in four starts, previously showed exciting talent capturing the Sea Cottage Stakes at Turffontein.

In the one-and-one-quarter-mile turf race the son of Hard Spun broke alertly straight to the lead. Holding his advantage throughout, Ertijaal kicked on in the stretch when challenged to come away a clear, impressive winner at Kenilworth.

Bred by Shadwell Stud Australasia Ltd, Ertijaal is out of the mare Alharir, and is a half-brother to G2 Al Fahidi Fort winner at Meydan Mushreq. The colt's second dam is Stakes winner Asawir.

Ertijaal marks the sixth G1 winner for sire Hard Spun, a list that includes G1 Wood Memorial and G2 Jim Dandy winner Wicked Strong, G1 Arlington Million winner Hardest Core, and daughter Hard Not To Like who captured the G1 Jenny Wiley last year. Other winners at the highest level for the sire are Eclipse Champion Questing and G1 Mother Goose winner Zo Impressive from his first crop.

Hard Spun stands the 2015 breeding season for $35,000 live foal, stands and nurses.