Dark Venture is a smart looking three-year-old who underwent a serious colic operation last winter. His recovery and journey into training has been remarkable and so it was a thrill to see him show so much potential on debut.

We purchased Dark Venture for €60,000 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale in 2022. Dark Angel is one of the leading European sires, who has been a consistent source of top class horses, including of course, the Charlie Hills-trained Champion Sprinter Battaash. The whole sireline has thrived at Faringdon Place with Dark Angel’s grandsire, Royal Applause, trained by Barry as well as his paternal half-brother Equiano. The latter is a fellow son of Acclamation, Royal Applause’s tremendously successful sire son and Kennet Valley currently have his very promising son, Equality, in training with Charlie.

Dark Venture is the fifth product of the Dark Angel / Last Bid mating, unsurprising given the breeder’s family stand Dark Angel at their Yeomanstown Stud. The mating has proved hugely successful with all four of her runners winning and running to a high level, including the Listed-placed pair of San Andreas and Maggies Angel.

Luke Lillingston commented: “Dark Angel has become synonymous with the Hills family. Barry trained him for his successful two-year-old career culminating in a brilliant Middle Park victory. This very attractive colt is a full-brother to four winners, two of them gaining black-type. We all know that nothing is guaranteed in racing but all of this makes for a very appealing bet.”