Equality (GB)

Three-time winner Equality is rated 104, reflecting his incredible natural speed; on his day, he is hard to beat. He is somewhat of a quirky character but was unflustered at Epsom on Derby Day when running third in The Dash, “the fastest five furlongs in the world” and in three impressive performances in the autumn, including a facile win in a valuable handicap at Haydock. He looks capable of continuing to step up to the task and could be ready to step into Stakes company this season.

Equality is by the dual King’s Stand (Group 1) winner Equiano who was trained by Barry Hills. Equiano has made up into a useful stallion since through the likes of multiple Group 1 winner, The Tin Man, as well as Strath Burn and Equilateral who have both been trained by Charlie. It is indeed a sire line in which the Hills’ Faringdon Place has become hugely adept with – not least via Equiano’s paternal half–brother, Dark Angel (by Acclamation), who also won at Group 1 level before establishing himself as one of the best sires around.

The dam, Penny Drops, was a high class mare herself, gaining black type on numerous occasions for William Haggas. Her first foal, a three-year-old named Badri (a son of Dark Angel), is in training with Charlie Hills and is well-regarded. Penny Drops is a daughter of another black type mare in Penny Cross, herself a half-sister to the Celebration Mile (Group 2) winner, Priors lodge.