Drakenstein Stud’s successful resident sire Duke Of Marmalade enjoyed a notable, “regal”, victory at Newbury on Saturday afternoon.

His talented daughter Daphne made a belated winning return to racing when scoring for Her Majesty The Queen when victorious over 11 rivals this weekend. The lightly raced four-year-old, ridden by Ryan Moore, challenged over a furlong out, and stayed on strongly to post a three quarter of length win over the Frankel sired favourite Weekender. Daphne, who has now won her last two in a row, had won her last outing in 2016 when successful at Goodwood but was making her comeback after a 367 day layoff.

Duke Of Marmalade, himself a former Cartier Champion, is also responsible for Cartier Champion and classic winner Simple Verse, whose retirement from racing was announced on Saturday. Simple Verse, described by trainer Ralph Beckett as “tough, talented and versatile”, earned nearly £1 000 000 during a career which saw her annex the G1 Ladbrokes St Leger, G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, G2 DFS Park Hill Stakes and the G3 Lillie Langtry Stakes.

Her sire has enjoyed another excellent season in 2017, highlighted by the likes of his G1 Gold Cup winning son Big Orange (one of the most popular racehorses in training), and the Melbourne Cup bound Marmelo. The latter has won a pair of group races this year including the G2 Darley Prix Kergorlay (beating subsequent G2 Doncaster Cup winner Desert Skyline).

Duke Of Marmalade, a half-brother to Investec Derby winner Ruler Of The World, has more than 50 stakes horses to his name and his offspring have earned more than $27 000 000 in stakes.