Exciting two-year-old Group winner for French leading sire. It was a day of firsts for Siyouni, his son Aylmerton and his French trainer Jean-Etienne Dubois. The two-year-old colt, who was Siyouni’s first Australian winner just 17 days ago, also became his first Group winner in Australia with a stylish win in blistering time in the Gr.2 Todman Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Travelling just behind the leaders during the race, Aylmerton surged through a narrow gap up the fence over the final furlong to score a long head win over Ef Troop. Trainer Jean-Etienne Dubois who was saddling his first Group runner down under said: "It's a miracle! You always dream of things like this but don't believe it can happen. He's a very professional horse and he proved he can fight so he has everything to make a good horse. He is very much like his father who is a very good stallion."

The time of 1:08.84 was fractionally faster than that of two year-old filly Estijaab (Snitzel), who won the Gr.2 ATC Reisling Stakes in race record time. Aylmerton could now be headed to the richest two-year-old race, the Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes in two weeks’ time.

Aylmerton is a son of the Smart Strike mare Aloona, who was covered southern hemisphere time at Haras de Bonneval and bought in foal to Siyouni by David Chaikin, who owns Woodpark Stud and Aylmerton himself. Dubois added: "Siyouni was the most appropriate type of French stallion to match with an Australian racing profile, with his speed and precocity.”

Siyouni stands at Haras de Bonneval in France for €75,000 and is fully booked again this season. Aylmerton is his 20th Stakes winner and the son of Pivotal has plenty to look forward to with Classic hopes Laurens (winner of the Gr.1 Fillies’ Mile in 2017) and unbeaten Group 3 winner Sacred Life.

Updated on 12/03/2018.