The Master designs his 21st Group 1 winner

The Master designs his 21st Group 1 winner

The Master designs his 21st Group 1 winner

Champion sire Redoute’s Choice reminded Randwick’s Derby Day crowd that class is indeed permanent when his Arrowfield-bred-&-sold son Master of Design (ex Urge to Merge by Last Tycoon) swooped late to claim the $1 million ATC T.J. Smith S. 1200m G1, from Rain Affair and Starcraft ‘s high-class 3YO daughter Hallowell Belle.

Master of Design is the 21st Group 1 winner by Redoute’s Choice, among 85 lifetime stakeswinners, 13 of them successful in black type company this season alone.

Pictured: Master of Design, with Craig Williams (blue, black & white silks) at his driving, balanced best, is about to claim Rain Affair and Group 1 glory. (PHOTO: Sportpix)

Trained by David Payne for a group of owners led by Luke Murrell & Jamie Lovett of Australian Bloodstock, Master of Design has this season fulfilled the promise he showed early in his career. He won the ATC Theo Marks H. G2 in the spring, followed by a Group 1 placing in Melbourne, and indicated he was approaching his best form with a strong third in last Saturday’s ATC Sebring S. G3.

Master of Design, a $2.1 million graduate of the Arrowfield draft at the 2007 Inglis Australian Easter Sale, has now joined an illustrious group of Group 1-winning relatives including his half-brother Suntagonal, Tracy’s Element, Danasinga & 2010 Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy.

Urge to Merge has a 2011 filly by Charge Forward and is in foal to Not A Single Doubt ; while Master of Design’s full sister Emanday, in foal to All American , is part of Arrowfield’s offering at the upcoming Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.

Master of Design is the second Group 1 winner, after Queensland Derby winner Dariana, bred on the Redoute’s Choice/Last Tycoon cross. The combination has produced a total of seven stakeswinners from only 39 named foals.