Group 1 Glory for D B Pin

29 January 2018

D B Pin was victorious in Sunday’s HK$10 million Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin. Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club
D B Pin was victorious in Sunday’s HK$10 million Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin. Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

D B Pin (Darci Brahma), a close relative to the unbeaten Karaka Million winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock), completed a wonderful weekend for that family and for Karaka graduates with victory in Sunday’s HK$10 million Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin.

D B Pin is a half-brother to Avantage’s dam Asavant (NZ) (Zabeel).

The John Size-trained D B Pin had finished second to his stablemate and fellow Karaka graduate Mr Stunning (Exceed and Excel) in last month’s Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint, but turned the tables in the Centenary Sprint Cup.

Ridden by Olivier Doleuze, D B Pin came with a late surge from midfield, taking the lead inside the last 150 metres and scoring by a neck from Mr Stunning and Beat The Clock (Hinchinbrook).

“He’s made incremental improvement every time he’s gone to the races, but particularly this season,” Size said. “He’s a naturally fast horse, but this season he’s learnt to settle – under Olivier’s guidance, he’s certainly come on and puts most of his energy into the last 400m, which is winning races for him.”

A $200,000 purchase at the 2014 Premier Sale, D B Pin has now had 13 starts for five wins, seven placings and HK$10.9 million in prizemoney.

A half-sister by Fastnet Rock will go through the ring as Lot 479 in The Oaks Stud’s draft in Karaka Book 1.

Vendor The Oaks Stud
Purchaser John Foote Bloodstock (Queensland)
Breeding Darci Brahma – Pins ‘n’ Needles
Sale Lot 181, 2014 Premier Sale, $200,000
Bred by Mrs K N & W E Calder