Darley stallions lead the way in the Noel Murless

Nichols Canyon (Authorized) beats Greatwood (Manduro) at Ascot

Nichols Canyon, a three-year-old son of Authorized, became his sires 10th individual Stakes winner on Friday October 4, when taking the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot. Always up with the pace, he challenged for the lead early in the straight with Manduro's son Greatwood, and responding generously for pressure, he prevailed by two lengths.

Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock and sold as a yearling for 48,000 Gns, he is the first foal of the unraced Dalakhani mare Zam Zoom who is herself a half-sister to Exceed And Excel's G3 Winter Derby winner Nideeb. From the family of Warrsan and Luso, Zam Zoom also has a two-year-old filly by New Approach called Bright Approach (in training with John Gosden) and a yearling filly by Teofilo.

Nichols Canyon is the eighth Stakes performing three-year-old this season for Authorized, a figure which includes the G3 Park Express winner and Irish 1,000 Guineas filly Rehn's Nest. In the last nine days, Authorized has sired three new Stakes performers of this generation and the impressive Australian G3 winner Complacent, who heads next to the G1 Spring Champion Stakes later this month.