Hansel Horse Wins Second Hardwicke

Michael Doyle's Fruits of Love, a 5-year-old son of Hansel--Vallee Secrete, by Secretariat, posted his second consecutive victory in the Hardwicke Stakes (Eng-II) at Royal Ascot Friday. Ridden by Oliver Peslier for trainer Mark Johnston, Fruits of Love stalked the moderate pace set by his stablemate and eventual runner-up Yavana's Pace (Accordian) before moving to the outside and taking a 1 1/2-length victory. Blueprint (Generous) finished third. The Niarchos family's Shiva was scratched by trainer Henry Cecil because overnight rains were insufficient to soften the course to the filly's liking.

Bred in Virginia by Mr. and Mrs. Roy L.. Ash, Fruits of Love was initially purchased by GMB Inc. for $70,000 as a weanling at the 1995 Keeneland November sale. Pinhooked into the 1996 Goffs October yearling sale, the horse was bought by trainer Johnston for the equivalent of $126,205.

The victory marked the first start of 2000 for Fruits of Love, who was recovering from an illness. With five wins from 20 starts, Fruits of Love has also accounted for the 1998 Princess of Wales's Stakes and the 1999 Dubai Ports Authority & Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority Dubai Turf Classic. His seven career placings include a second in last year's Canadian International (gr. I). (More, Sporting Life)