Yarradale Stud took centre-stage at Pinjarra on Saturday when War Chant (USA) warhorse Without Reg dictated terms with a front-running victory in the $100,000 Mandurah Cup (1400m).

It sets him up for black-type assignments in the LR Pinjarra Classic (1300m) and LR Bunbury Stakes (1400m) and comes just 48 hours after Yarradale-bred graduate Cashel Palace (Street Boss) signalled a black-type campaign of her own with an Ascot win on New Year’s Day.

Without Reg (7g War Chant - Movie Queen by Bletchley Park) has been a tough trooper for trainer Rhys Radford winning 10 of his 55 starts since an Ascot 3yo maiden in November 2021.  He cost $29,000 at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions and has now banked over $436,000 for a syndicate that includes his parents Warren and Chris Radford and the gelding’s Yarradale-based breeder Bernie Hamill.

Radford turned him out looking fit for purpose on Saturday and that also fitted in nicely with a career-best prep this season that includes a MCA Polytrack Hcp (1400m) win and Westspeed Platinum Sprint (1400m) placing at Ascot last month.

“It surprised me when he went to the front but it was a 10 out of 10 ride by Holly (Watson),” Radford said.  “And 8 of his 10 wins have been at 1400m so now we will map a path to the Bunbury Stakes (1400m) in March.”

Watson also rates him highly.  “Leading wasn’t the plan today because he’s been lost in front before.  A mile is probably a bit too far because he becomes too keen and doesn’t finish off.  He’s got a wicked turn of foot and is my second-best favourite horse behind Comfort Me (Playing God).”

Ladies Of London, a full-sister to Without Reg and a multiple winner for trainer Lindsey Smith, continues the family line for Greenfields Lodge owner Tony Patrizi and he has a Sessions - Ladies of London colt entered as Lot 203 for the 2026 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Vatican Storm had won the first leg of a Pinjarra double for Yarradale in the Saddlery Wholesalers Hcp (1200m) for trainer Stefan Vahala and a syndicate managed by Kyle Sutherland.

The Playing God 3yo was racing first-up since July and took off from last at the 600m to challenge the leader Pure Silver (D'argento) in the straight.  He kept up a very impressive gallop to the line for Clint Johnston-Porter to score a two-length victory over Bannered (Starspangledbanner).

Vatican Storm was a $100,000 buy from Yarradale at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale and is the first live foal from Ascot winner Amalfi Lass (War Chant).  Yarradale Stud has entered a Gingerbread Man - Amalfi Lass filly as Lot 121 for the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale in February.

Second-dam La Sirenuse (Barathea) won the G3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield in 2004 and it only gets better further down a catalogue page highlighted by Rogan Josh (G1 VRC Melbourne Cup) and Machine Gun Tom (G1 WATC Railway Stakes).

Without Reg leads all the way for Holly Watson in the Mandurah Cup / Photo: Western Racepix