Darley's Ribchester the latest first-season sire to have his first runner

Darley's exciting first-season sire and multiple Group 1-winning miler Ribchester will have his first runner at Kempton tomorrow when the Harry Dunlop-trained Mirique lines up in the opening five-furlong novice.

Mirique was bred by Carisbrooke Stud and is out of the winning Jeremy mare Magique - a half-sister to two stakes performers including dual Group/Grade 2 winner and Hollywood Derby second Grandeur.

Bought back by her breeder for 35,000gns as a yearling at Tattersalls Book 2, the two-year-old is owned by Frenchmans Lodge Stables Partnership and will face six rivals including Noble Albert and Wild Mountain, both by fellow first-season sire Aclaim.

Ribchester, who was bred by Audrey Thompson and Mike O'Brien, sold to Jamie Railton for €78,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale when presented by Kilmore Stud and then made €105,000 when snapped up by Highfield Farm from the Irish National Stud at Goffs Orby the following year.

Richard Fahey and Ribchester at homeCredit: John Grossick

The son of Iffraaj - who out of a Marju half-sister to top-level winner Matterhorn and Classic Trial scorer Bangkok - initially raced in the colours of David Armstrong, for whom he was second in the Gimcrack, before winning the Mill Reef on his first start for Godolphin.

Third in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas the following season, Ribchester followed up a win in the Jersey Stakes with victory in the Prix Jacques Le Marois. He proved equally brilliant at four, winning the Lockinge, Queen Anne and Prix du Moulin in a glittering season.

Retired to Kildangan Stud at the end of 2017, he initially stood for a fee of €30,000. The eight-year-old has 117 first-crop juveniles to run for him this term.

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