A half-brother to $1.7million earning Group II winner Kissonallforcheeks, three year-old Russian Revolution gelding Russian to the Bar became the tenth stakes-winner for his sire when capturing the Listed WATC Challenge Stakes (1500m ) at Ascot on Wednesday.

Trained by Luke Fernie and ridden by Chris Parnham, he scored by the best part of a length taking his overall record to three wins from five starts with earnings just on $140,000.

“I was impressed with the way he let down. He has gone from strength to strength,” Fernie said.

‘I thought I had got to the bottom of him at his first prep and I thought I had bought a dud. We are on top of him now though and he has a bright future.

“We put our knackers on the line when we bought him for a decent amount; he is repaying us now.

‘I have learned a lot training him. You want them to be jump and run. Patience is a virtue and I’m learning that now.”

A half-brother to Group II VRC Let’s Elope Stakes winner and Group I Winterbottom Stakes runner-up Kissonallforcheeks, Russian To The Bar was a $200,000 buy for his trainer from the Dawson Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Winter Yearling Sale which he topped, having previously not made his reserve at the Classic Yearling Sale.

He is the third winner from four to race for the talented stakes-winning Blackfriars mare Rosie Rocket, who foaled a Capitalist filly last spring.

Russian to the Bar is the tenth stakes-winner for Russian Revolution.