Highlands Stud part of Ridgemont’s well performed young sire Canford Cliffs had an eye catching debut winner this weekend.
The five time G1 winner is the sire of Mercer’s Troop, who made a winning debut over 2400m at Kempton on Saturday.
Trained by Archie Watson, the 3yo colt made much of the running in the maiden before staying on gamely to post a first out win by a head.

Mercer’s Troop, who was produced by the Woodman mare Meek Appeal, was one of three British winners for his sire this past weekend.

Canford Cliffs’ gelded son The Phantom Punch got off the mark when scoring a 2.25 maiden win at Dundalk on Friday, while the same day saw the Kevin Ryan trained Bungee Jump pick up his second career victory when successful over 1400m at Lingfield.

Canford Cliffs, sire of group winners Cliff’s Edge, Al Jazi, Most Beautiful and Painted Cliffs (as well as Investec Oaks third Harlequeen), has a smart strike rate in South Africa.

All his local runners have won, with his notable performers including East Cape Derby winner Dorset Noble and his Australian bred daughter Fish River has been entered in Saturday’s G3 Three Troikas Stakes.

He stands his first season in South Africa in 2018.