Yarradale Stud-bred graduate Cashel Palace responded to a well-judged ride by Lucy Fiore to click her latest campaign into gear at Ascot on Perth Cup Day.
The Dan Morton-trained mare won the LR Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic (1400m) in November 2024 and she’s far from finished in black-type ranks as evidenced by a stress-free victory in the Schweppes Hcp (1400m)
Cashel Palace (4m Street Boss – Burgoyne by War Chant) was sent forward by Fiore to track the favourite Awesome Boy (Awesome Rock) at the 600m and that paid dividends when she ranged up to the leaders into the straight to win with something in hand.
“We’ve had to be patient while she’s overcome a few niggles but I’ve always had time for her,” Morton revealed. “She’s a really good mare and she’s capable of going on with it this prep.”
Cashel Palace (Photo / Western Racepix) was sidelined for nine months in 2025 and Fiore was also pleased to weigh in again on her Lee-Steere Classic winner.
“She’s an easy ride and the pace was perfect today. The favourite was giving Brandon (Louis) a hard time but she was cool, calm and collected. And she had a lot left when I asked her to let down.”
She’s the first live foal from Burgoyne who was a Belmont juvenile winner for Morton. The mare delivered a Playing God colt in August and is back in foal to the WA Champion. Her full-sister Just Like Silk (War Chant) retired unraced and she has a yearling colt by Playing God at Gidgegannup.
Their half-sister Jerezana (Lonhro) won a LR Ramornie Hcp (1200m) at Grafton for Darley and the best of her foals have been Osborne Bulls (G2 VRC TAB Stakes) and Zapateo (G3 ATC Toy Show Hcp).
Yarradale bought into the family when purchasing second-dam Saddler’s Silk (Barathea) from Darley in 2013. She was a 2yo winner in Sydney and Brisbane prior to a Group 1 placing in the 2002 QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes won by Lovely Jubly (Lion Hunter).
Cashel Palace cost Shane Stafford $160,000 out of the Yarradale consignment to the 2023 Perth Magic Millions. The Queensland-based owner received the thrill of a lifetime in June when his filly Cercene (Australia) won the G1 Coronation Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot.
