Most Improved off the mark with Saint-Malo maiden winner

Coolmore’s Most Improved became the latest freshman sire to get off the mark in 2017 when Tremont, trained by Stephane Wattel, won a maiden at Saint-Malo on Thursday.

The colt is the first foal out of the once-raced Teofilo mare Sheema, who was bought from the Darley draft at the 2013 Tattersalls July Sale by Marc Antoine Berghgracht for 5,000gns. The mare descends from champion racemare Oh So Sharp, with another St Leger winner also appearing beneath the colt’s second dam in the successful jumps stallion Shantou.

The two-year-old carried the familiar colours of Gerard Augustin-Normand, who owns the colt in partnership with Philippe Augier, having been picked up from last year’s V2 session of the Arqana August yearling sale - when offered by co-breeder Jedburgh Stud - for the modest sum of €16,000.

Most Improved won two of his ten career starts - eight of which came while under the care of Brian Meehan, most notably the 2012 St James’s Palace Stakes, when defeating the likes of Gregorian, Born To Sea and Dragon Pulse.

The son of Lawman was bred by Skymarc Farm and Ecurie Des Monceaux out of Tonnara, a Linamix half-sister to Group 3 Prix Quincey winner and Group 1 runner-up Johnny Barnes, and Group 3 winner Albisola. He is a half-brother to two winners, including Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes and Group 1 Criterium International winner Ectot.

With a first book of 128 mares, Most Improved should have plenty of runners in the coming months. He is currently standing his fourth season at Coolmore at a fee of €4,000.