The Pencarrow bred sire Saperavi produced his first winner on Thursday when Emily Trimbole took out the 2YO handicap over 1100 metres at Wingatui on debut.

Ridden by apprentice jockey Toni Direen, the Noel Graham trained Emily Trimbole posted a one-and-a-quarter-length victory over Keen Affair (Keeninsky) and Lucille (Remind). The filly is the second runner from Saperavi’s first crop to race with his oldest progeny now two-year-olds.

A half-brother to the Pencarrow bred Darci Brahma (Danehill), Saperavi (Stravinsky x Grand Echezeaux) was purchased by David Ellis of Te Akau Stud from Pencarrow Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2006 Karaka Premier Sale for $2.2 million.

Darci Brahma, purchased by Te Akau Stud from Pencarrow Stud for $1.1 million two years earlier, was a top performer on the track claiming five Group 1 victories. Now standing at The Oaks Stud, Darci Brahma is the sire of three stakes winners in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and sired his first Group 1 winner on the weekend with Artistic taking the New Zealand Oaks.

Saperavi’s highly promising racing career met an abrupt end suffering a fetlock injury when galloped on in just his fourth start. The colt had shown ability on the turf during his brief career, winning on the track and placing in a Listed race from only four starts.

“Even though it’s hard to line his form up against Darci Brahma, I know in my mind that Saperavi could really gallop,” said Mark Walker who trained both colts.

“I still had blinkers up my sleeve and I also had high hopes for him over ground. He really impressed me as a horse that was going to get better as the distances increased.”

Saperavi is from the Group 1 winning Zabeel mare Grand Echezeaux and is also a half-brother to the dual stakes winning three-year-old Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice). Burgundy is nominated for the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) next month.