Maine Chance Farms’ resident sire and former Equus Champion Vercingetorix has made a superb start to his stud career, and the son of Silvano was represented by his third first crop winner, from just five runners, when his 2yo son Hooves Of Troy made a winning debut at Fairview on Friday.

Bred by Hartley SA, Hooves Of Troy was backed into 61-20 tote favouritism for Friday’s race, a maiden juvenile plate over 1000m, and duly obliged for trainer Gavin Smith and jockey Muzi Yeni.

Hooves Of Troy impressed when fighting back to score a three-parts of a length debut win on Friday, at the expense of 6-1 Foreign Source, and gave his exciting young sire another first crop success.

Vercingetorix’s previous winners include the impressive debut scorer Fearless Warrior and Astrix –with the latter winning by over three lengths at the second time of asking.

South Africa’s Equus Champion 3YO Of 2012-2013, and winner of the G1 Jebel Hatta in Dubai, Vercingetorix also proved popular at Wednesday’s Cape Premier Yearling Sale, where yearlings by the former Equus champion fetched up to R1 100 000.

Vercingetorix, who is currently South Africa’s Leading First Crop Sire this season by individual winners and total prize money, is one of 20 G1 winners sired by Maine Chance Farms’ multiple champion sire Silvano.