Pencarrow Stud-bred horses ran a quinella in Singapore last night with Affirmation (Fastnet Rock) defeating Serpico (Henrythenavigator) in a $35,000 Stake D event over 1400m.

The Mark Walker trained Affirmation was able to get over the top the field from near last on the corner as he flashed down the outside to pick Serpico, the race favourite, in the shadows of the post.

Ridden by Manoel Nunes, Affirmation settled near the tail of the field over the 1400m event run on the turf track at Kranji.

The Michael Freedman trained Serpico raced outside the leader and found the front early in the straight. The three-year-old gelding fought bravely down the straight holding off all runners except Affirmation, as the seven-year-old trumped his younger rival in a close finish.

“He is a great old warrior, that was his tenth career win,” commented Walker of Affirmation. “He is one of the stable favourites, he is almost human the horse.

“Not many horses are able to win ten races these days so the owners have had plenty of fun with him.

“He was out of the winners circle for a while but he got high in the ratings so when he dropped down in grade he got a win straight away which got his confidence back and has strung two wins together now.

“As long as he is sound, which he is, and he is still happy he will continue to race him.”

Affirmation recorded back-to-back victories having been successful on 8 November and took his tally to eight wins in Singapore with two prior victories landed in New Zealand before his departure. He has earned his owners Te Akau Racing Stables S$295,765 in his time racing in Singapore.

David Ellis purchased Affirmation as a yearling for $700,000 from Pencarrow Stud at the 2008 Karaka Premier Sale. The son of champion sire Fastnet Rock is out of imported American mare Affirmed Lane (Affirmed) and is a three-quarter sister to multiple Group 1 placegetter J’Adane (Danehill).

Affirmed Lane has a yearling filly by Makfi that has been retained by the Stud and has been booked to visit High Chaparral for the 2013 breeding season.

Serpico is out of Romanee St. Vivant (Jetball), a daughter of Hong Kong Cup winner Romanee Conti making her a half-sister to Caulfield/Melbourne Cup victor Ethereal. Trainer Michael Freedman Purchased the son of Henrythenavigator from the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale for $175,000.