The Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud based Alado made news at Borrowdale Park on Saturday when his durable son Coachella won the Zimbabwe feature, the Swift Gold Cup Sprint, over 1200 metres.

Under Daniel Frank, eight-year-old Coachella stayed on gamely to land the 2021 Gold Cup Sprint for trainer Bridget Stidolph and breeder Ian Sanne.

Out of the Camden Park mare Festive Event, Coachella was winning the Gold Cup Sprint for a second time, with the Alado gelding having previously captured the race in 2017.

Clearly a Gold Cup Sprint specialist, Coachella, Zimbabwe’s Champion Sprinter of 2017-2018, also ran second in the race in 2019 and third in 2018.

The tough-as-teak Coachella has now won 12 races in total, with the gelding having finished in the money in each of his four races prior to Saturday’s Swift Gold Cup Sprint.

His regally bred sire Alado, whose close relative Alpinista has won three G1 races in Germany this year, also ranks as the sire of G2 Selangor Cup winner Rocket Countdown and the stakes performers Adorada, Captain’s Knot, Flying Winger, Half Moon Hotel and Northern Conquest.