Impressive colt Astern laid the foundation for his future at stud with a resounding win in the $1 million Golden Rose, a Group One race that in its short history has already become a noted stallion-making event.

Astern provided leading shuttle sire Medaglia d’Oro with his 15th G1 winner and second in Australia when he outclassed a quality field of three-year-olds to continue success in a race that has become a favourite for the Darley/Godolphin stable.

He is the fifth Golden Rose winner to carry the Darley or Godolphin colours to victory since its first running in 2002 when it replaced the Peter Pan Stakes to become Sydney’s major spring race for the age group.

More importantly past winners Duporth, Denman, Toorak Toff, Epaulette, Zoustar, the late Court Command and Hallowed Crown have become successful and sought after sires.

Denman and Epaulette carried the Darley silks to victory and they were joined by last year’s winner, the Godolphin-owned Lonhro colt Exosphere, who began his study career this season.

There is no doubt Astern will be joining them at stud in due course now that he joins Golden Slipper winner Vancouver – also now at stud – as an Australian G1 winner by Medaglia D’Oro.

Astern’s win was a resounding triumph for Sheikh Mohammed’s breeding program as the colt is also the second G1 winner for another Darley-based stallion Exceed And Excel as a broodmare sire.

Astern (Medaglia d’Oro x Essaouira by Exceed And Excel) has now raced six times for five wins and prize money earnings of more than $1 million and is now favourite to add the G1 Caulfield Guineas to his record in Melbourne on October 8.

His winning dam Essaouira has produced three winners from as many foals to race including the G3-placed four-year-old Mogador (Lonhro).

Essaouira is out of the G2 winner Alizes (Rory’s Jester) and is a granddaughter of G1 winner La Baraka (Euclase).

Astern’s fourth dam is the five-time G1 winner Triscay (Marscay) while Essaouira has since produced a 2YO filly by Sepoy, a yearling filly by Animal Kingdom and is due to foal to Brazen Beau in October.

Astern is one of 92 stakes winners by Medaglia d’Oro, whose G1 winners in the northern hemisphere include champions Songbird, Rachel Alexandra and Mshawish.