Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm’s proven G1 sire Oratorio, who is represented on both the Cape and National Yearling Sale this year, had a debut winner at Fairview on Friday.

The Oratorio sired two-year-old colt Gold Dragon, who was backed in from 20-1 down to 13-1, stayed on gamely to post a first out win by a short head over 1200 metres for owner-trainer Gavin Smith and jockey Stallone Naidoo.

Bred by the Favour Stud, and out of Silvano mare Clematis, Gold Dragon was a R60 000 buy from the 2018 National Two Year Old Sale.

His sire Oratorio, himself a G1 winner and champion at two, is no stranger to siring winning two-year-olds, with Oratorio’s past notable performers including the G1 two-year-olds Beethoven, Banchee, Fencing Master, Van Halen, Ancestry, and Cue The Music.

A triple G1 winner and dual champion sire in Italy, Oratorio has two fillies on offer at Sunday’s Cape Yearling Sale, and he also has a large, quality  draft on offer at this year’s National Sale in April.

Oratorio’s 18 strong National Sale draft includes a half-sister (Lot 250) to G1 winner King Of Pain, a half-brother (Lot 337) to July winning champion Big City Life, and a filly (Lot 344) out of Cape Fillies Guineas winner Emerald Beauty.