Brunel boosts Highclere´s excellent classic record.

Brunel, who gave Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (HTR) a second European Classic success when winning the German 2,000 Guineas on Sunday, May 16, is set to have his next start in the Group 1 St James´s Palace Stakes, worth £225,000, at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, June 15.

The William Haggas-trained colt, ridden by Darryll Holland, won with more in hand in the German Classic at Cologne than the half-length margins suggests and he followed in the steps of the brilliant Petrushka, who landed the Irish Oaks in the famous pale blue colours of HTR in 2000.

Petrushka was the first syndicate-owned European Classic winner and now Brunel is the second, giving HTR an unique record.

These successes have not been a fluke as HTR targets the top races from the outset, buying yearlings who could be capable of appearing in Group 1 company. Besides the Irish Oaks and German 2,000 Guineas wins, HTR has had runners finish in the first four in all five British Classics.

Petrushka came third in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and went on to be fourth in the Oaks at Epsom, while Housemaster was fourth in the 1999 Derby at Epsom Downs, the same position filled by Brancaster in the 2,000 Guineas in 1999 while Highest came closest to British Classic glory when second in the St Leger at Doncaster in 2002.

Sold for over US$5 million when she retired from racing, Petrushka enjoyed three consecutive Group 1 victories - in the Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks at the Curragh, the Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks at York and the Prix de l´Opera at Longchamp. She was bought as a yearling for IR110,000 guineas.

HTR´s 15-share Niche Syndicate, which has two horses, owns Brunel and 28 of those involved travelled to Cologne for a thrilling day. Besides Brunel, who has won three of his six races, there is another three-year-old, Motive, and he was successful on his second career start, beating Coming Again - who subsequently ran in the Derby - in a Windsor 10-furlong maiden on May 24. Motive is trained by Sir Michael Stoute who sent out the Derby winner, North Light.

The Niche Syndicate was launched in 2002 at a cost of £36,000 a share (which included all costs up to the end of the first racing year - in this case the end of 2003), with Brunel bought for 230,000 euros as a yearling and Motive purchased for 250,000 guineas (a guinea equals £1.05).

William Haggas, who trains at Newmarket, said today: 'Winning the German 2,000 Guineas was terrific, lots of the shareowners came over and we all had a day we will never forget.

'Brunel has come out of the race in Germany very well - he seems in good form and it is all systems go for next week. I think we´ve picked a warm year for the St James´s Palace Stakes but you don´t win if you´re not in and he has earned his place in the line-up.'

HTR is hoping to have up to four other runners at Royal Ascot which stages the greatest five days of racing anywhere in the world between Tuesday, June 15 and Saturday, June 19.

Sentry, owned by the Saloon Syndicate which was launched in 2001 with 30 shares at £11,500 a time, is targeting the Ascot Stakes - a handicap over two and a half miles - on the opening day. The four-year-old In Command gelding, who cost 50,000 guineas as a yearling, has been very consistent during his career to date - twice successful and only once finishing out of the first four in nine races for trainer John Gosden.

The 20-share (£16,000 each) Lemon Souffle Syndicate, which came into existence in 2002, has three-year-old Credit who is likely to run in the Britannia Handicap over a mile on Thursday, June 17. Credit, who cost 100,000 guineas as a yearling and is trained by Richard Hannon, did not make his debut until this season, finishing third on his first two starts and then winning a 15-runner mile Newbury maiden on May 15.

The two other HTR possibles for Royal Ascot both have the same target, the King George V Stakes, a handicap over a mile and a half for three-year-olds on the same day.

Admiral belongs to the Satinette Syndicate which was started in 2002 with 10 shares at £41,500 each. The three-year-old Alhaarth colt, bought as a yearling for 360,000 euros, has shown improved form since being stepped up to 12 furlongs by trainer Sir Michael Stoute. He won a Goodwood handicap over that distance on May 26 and then was a good third in a stronger race at Haydock on June 5.

The Little Wolf Syndicate, with 20 shares at £23,500, owns Reservoir who was the gutsy winner of a Goodwood 11-furlong maiden on June 4. Purchased for 125,000 guineas as a yearling, the Green Desert colt is trained by William Haggas.

Reservoir was the ninth winner of 2004 for HTR - the year has seen 54% of the 48 runners finish in the first four up to and including June 10 - and the managing director Harry Herbert commented: 'It has been a terrifically exciting start to the season. We love having runners at Royal Ascot but only do so if we believe that the horses have a fair chance in their races.

'It is such a thrill for the shareowners of the Niche Syndicate that Brunel will be taking on the best three-year-old milers in Europe in the St James´s Palace Stakes on June 15.

'Brunel has won his last two races in great style but this is his toughest assignment yet.'