Favored Bushranger earned his second group I win for trainer David Wachman when he overtook Sayif approaching the final furlong en route to a 2 1/4-length triumph in the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes for 2-year-olds at Newmarket Oct. 3.
Ridden by Johnny Murtagh, Bushranger tracked Sayif, ridden by Jamie Spencer, down the center of the track, swept by his rival and won handily while driven out. The time, 1:09.56, was a course record for six furlongs. The race was contested on good to firm ground with a strong following wind.
“He's a grand little horse and I'm learning a lot about him," Murtagh told Racing Post afterward. “He's a strong two-year-old who's very professional and just keeps on winning.”
Owned by the familiar trio of Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor, Bushranger won the Prix Morny (Fr-I) in his previous start Aug. 24 at Deauville. Bushranger, by Danetime, was bred in Ireland by Tally-Ho Stud.
He was kept close to the pacesetting Classic Blade, leading the field at the far rail in the Middle Park, and advanced into second behind Sayif at the mid-point of the race while in the center of the track.
Sayif was a clear runner-up by 2 1/2 lengths over Huntdown, ridden by Franke Dettori. Gallagher was fourth.
Bushranger pulls away under Johnny Murtagh to take the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes.
