Affirmation (Fastnet Rock x Affirmed Lane, by Affirmed) gave Pencarrow Stud their seventh winner in seven days when showing enormous grit to land the Alsco Rotorua Maiden (1200m) yesterday at Rotorua.

The good-looking grey, who fetched $700,000 to the bid of Te Akau’s David Ellis at Karaka in 2008, was having his second race day appearance after a second-placed debut at Matamata on 30 October.

Drawn wide, Affirmation did not enjoy any luck in running with three deep without cover possibly the best position the three-year-old colt was treated with in running.

The fact that he covered extra ground on the tight turning track made no difference to the end result however as Affirmation ranged up to challenge race leader Joe Jumble (Quorum) in the home straight, and the two fought hard to the line with Affirmation sticking to his guns to claim victory by a nose.

Bred and sold by Pencarrow, Affirmation forms a part of the powerful Te Akau Stables who trained fellow Pencarrow-bred Darci Brahma to five Group 1 wins and a commercial stud career, much the same ambitions have been planned for Affirmation.

A half-brother to Group 1 Kelt Capital Stakes and Group 2 VRC Wakeful Stakes placed J’Adane (Danehill), Affirmation is out of Pencarrow’s Affirmed Lane, a winner of two races as a juvenile in the USA.

Affirmed Lane’s two-year-old No Excuse Needed colt, named Polarity, also made his way to Te Akau when purchased by David Ellis for $210,000 at Karaka Premier 2009.
Affirmed Lane’s current yearling, a filly by Darci Brahma, will be retained by Pencarrow Stud, and she will be bred back to the Champion racehorse again this season.

Affirmed Lane has a Zabeel colt at foot currently, born 28 October.