​Handpicked by Eve, Ardad Steve immediately caught the eye as a strong, athletic colt with an excellent walk and a wonderfully relaxed temperament — although, as we have since discovered, there is a fair bit of determination hiding underneath it all.

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He spent the autumn being pre-trained by PV partner Dave Byrne in Ireland before joining Eve at Woodway in January, where he continued to progress nicely towards his two-year-old campaign.

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Steve made an encouraging debut when finishing fourth in a competitive novice at Yarmouth, before gaining more valuable experience in the Woodcote Stakes at the Epsom Derby meeting — giving his owners an excellent day out in the process.

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Stepped up to seven furlongs and switched to the all-weather for his third start, he battled all the way to the line and got his head back down where it mattered. After giving us all a few tense minutes while the photo finish was studied, the result finally went our way — and Steve had his first win firmly on the board!