Silent Sedition makes a big bang in Moonee Valley Group 1

Silent Sedition became the third top-flight winner sired by War Chant - and another bargain yearling to win a top prize in Australia - when landing the William Reid Stakes in a thrilling finish under the Moonee Valley floodlights on Friday.

The four-year-old filly, registering a Group 1 breakthrough for both jockey Katelyn Mallyon and trainer Andrew Noblet, boasts a topical pedigree as the second foal of Fiorentina, a Dubai Destination half-sister to Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso. Their dam Porto Roca also scored at the highest level in the Coolmore Classic - in which race Silent Sedition herself finished a short-head runner-up at Rosehill earlier this year.

To add to the fairytale, Silent Sedition had been picked up by Aqua Trained Thoroughbreds for just A$45,000 (£27,460/€31,745) at the 2014 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

"She's an absolute ripper," Noblet said. "I didn't expect too much tonight to be honest, coming back from a mile and coming back from Sydney, so to do that is quite unbelievable - she's an unbelievable talent, this mare."

Having travelled smoothly into contention Silent Sedition was made to work to hit the front with half a furlong to run, but displayed great tenacity to hold the persistent challenge of runner-up Hellbent.

"I just can't believe it," beamed Mallyon. "I'm just so thrilled. I'm just so glad I've been able to win a Group 1 for the Mallyon name - one so rich in racing history.

“She is such a wonderful ride - she fights like a tiger. She doesn't want to get beaten and there's big things in store for her."

War Chant's previous elite scorers are National Stakes winner Kingsfort and Santa Anita Derby winner Midnight Interlude.

The son of Danzig began his stallion career at Three Chinmeys Farm in Kentucky in 2001 on a fee of $75,000. But having seen his fee reduced to just $7,500 by 2014, Ron Sayers struck a deal for War Chant that saw him take up permanent residence at Yarradale Park in Gidgegannup, Australia. (He had previously been shuttling there since 2011.)

The 20-year-old War Chant stood the 2016 southern hemisphere breeding season at a private fee, and covered just a limited book.