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In an odd twist the Magic Millions sponsored Juvenile Championship Sng Gr 3 at Kranji in Singapore on Sunday was won by an Inglis sold horse in Rising Empire, a two year-old son of Dehere (USA) that was foaled and raised at Coolmore for his breeder Michael Crismale's Matrix Bloodstock.
First season trainer Leticia Dragon landed her first stakes victory when Rising Empire (pictured Singapore Turf Club) overcame a wide draw to win the 1200 metre sprint by a narrow margin in a tight finish from Holy Roman Empire (IRE) youngster Holy Empire.
"I'm very excited. This is my first Group winner," said Dragon who took over training from her father Douglas at the start of the year.
"I knew the horse was very well in himself but I lost confidence with the barrier draw on Wednesday.
"I said to Joao (Moreira) to ride him wherever he was comfortable and Joao rode him a great race."
Dragon has 43 horses in her stable and Rising Empire, who is raced by Empire Ninety Racing Stable, came to her after having his first start for Brian Dean back in March, when he finished second.
"I always thought he had shown a lot of potential and he certainly showed it today," said Dragon. "He's going to get over a bit more ground as well on that win."
Bred by Matrix Bloodstock, Rising Empire (pictured as a yearling) was first offered by Coolmore at the Inglis Select Weanling Sale where he fetched $40,000 to the bid of Oakford Thoroughbreds, who then pinhooked him through the 2011 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale where he sold for $60,000 to Ascot Racing.
A half-brother to stakes-placed Ladysea, Rising Empire has won two races and placed twice from just five starts and is the first stakes-winner for Flying Spur mare Chandon Rose, a three-quarter sister to stakes-winner Rose of Dane.
Chandon Rose has two colts to follow Rising Empire, both by Haradasun, but was not covered last year so will be without a foal this spring.
Rising Empire is the 74th stakes-winner for Dehere, who shuttled to Australia for many years for a variety of farms ending with Coolmore and is now based in Turkey.
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