Spartan drills rivals on debut

Tweenhills-bred Spartan drills rivals on debut 

2yo colt Spartan, who was bred by Qatar Bloodstock Ltd and born, raised and grazed at Tweenhills, looked something out of the ordinary as he bolted up at Kempton on debut today. 

Spartan is by Too Darn Hot and the first foal out of Phantasmic, who won over 12f for Qatar Racing in 2018 and is a half-sister to the 2009 Gr.1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner Total Gallery. 

Phantasmic was a 675,000-guineas Tattersalls Book 1 Yearling and retired to Tweenhills after her racing career. 

Spartan was offered from the Tweenhills consignment at the 2025 Tattersalls Book 1 Yearling Sale and later resold for €280,000 at the Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale in May, from Church Farm Stables to Highclere Agency. 

Spartan lined up as one of two newcomers owned by Isa Salman Al Khalifa in the 8-runner 1m novice at Kempton and, after starting at 9/2, he came with a power-packed run down the outside to win by 3¾ lengths from a pair with experience. 

Sparta is trained by John and Thady Gosden and was ridden by William Buick. He looks a really exciting colt for the future!