Herbert in high spirits as Highclere hosts Yearling Parade

The great and the good of the racing world descended upon Highclere Stud on Sunday for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s 30th anniversary edition of its annual Yearling Parade.

And the champagne and smoked salmon tasted even sweeter following Durston’s win in the Group One Caulfield Cup in Melbourne, one of the biggest winners in the syndicate’s proud history.

The son of Sea The Moon was bought by Highclere as a two-year-old maiden following a recommendation from bloodstock agent Alastair Donald that he might well develop into an ideal candidate to compete in Australia.

So it proved as the unfancied 17/1 shot, now aged six, stormed to success in the Au$5 million contest as Michael Dee delivered the perfect ride to beat Gold Trip by a head.

After a difficult start to his life on track, the Chris Waller-trained gelding has secured his place in Australia’s most famous race, the Melbourne Gold Cup.

“It’s brilliant that we’re able to welcome everyone here having had such a fantastic result in Australia,” Harry Herbert, Highclere’s founder, said.

“I was watching the race downstairs on the sofa but as it was in Australia my wife was asleep upstairs, so I was trying to be quiet.

“I managed a few stifled screams and ran upstairs, I couldn’t help myself.

“We’ve had some great success over the years with the likes of Motivator (2005 Derby winner) and Cachet (this year’s 1000 Guineas winner), winning in Australia is up there."

Highclere’s investors will be hoping Sunday’s parade included the world famous syndicate’s next champion as guests looked upon 12 of its highest rated new purchases.

The horses will be trained by the likes of Kingsclere’s Andrew Balding, Newmarket’s George Boughey and Yorkshire’s Mark and Charlie Johnston.

Perhaps not all the handlers were in quite such high spirits – William Haggas will train two of Highclere’s yearlings, but arrived following the maiden defeat of Baaeed on his 11th and final outing in the Champion Stakes.

“He’s been fantastic for us, we lived our dream thanks to him, it’s a shame he didn’t quite manage the final piece of the dream,” Haggas said.

“We were so relaxed, we couldn’t imagine him being beaten but he still retires a great champion.”