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There was Group 1 success for Blue Diamond Stud on Saturday as Hotazhell came out on top in an exciting renewal of the Group 1 William Hill Futurity Stakes at Doncaster.

One of two Blue Diamond-bred runners in a field of eight alongside Nebras, Hotazhell lined up as a battle-hardened colt having previously won the Group 2 Beresford and Group 3 Tyros Stakes for Jessica Harrington and owner Silverton Hill LLC.

Brought to the fore by Shane Foley just under two furlongs out, he engaged in a sustained duel with Delacroix and showed great determination to narrowly edge that rival in the shadow of the post. It was a performance out of the top drawer - as illustrated by the fact they pulled nearly five lengths clear of the third Wimbledon Hawkeye - and one that had connections dreaming of Classic glory next year.

"I did a lot of shouting," Jessica Harrington told reporters. "I get a bit National Hunt doing that. I thought he'd won, then I thought he hadn't. But it was absolutely fantastic.

"He's a smashing horse, he's very tough and he loves a battle. I don't think he'll ever win races by large margins. He loves just looking at the other horse and saying, 'I'm better than you'.

"He's a little bit feisty, he ain't called Hotazhell for nothing. He's done very well. He's won a Group 3, a Group 2 and now a Group 1. That's just the start of his career, hopefully, and he'll go on next year and get better.

"This is very special. To win any Group 1, or a Grade 1 over jumps, is special and it takes a special horse. I'm very excited."

Shane Foley added: "You'd have liked him to win a bit snugger but we got the head in front. He's a very tough, competitive horse and when I got him up between them he loves a fight. I thought he'd won – and Ryan said well done to me after, which was a good sign."

Hotazhell was sold through our Tattersalls October Book 2 draft for 70,000gns to Eddie Linehan, who resold him for 200,000gns to current connections at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale.

From the second crop of Too Darn Hot, he is out of Azenzar, who carried our colours to victory in minor company, and a half-brother to our classy sprinter Rizg. He has a yearling half-brother by No Nay Never who will be trained by Aidan O'Brien after selling to MV Magnier at the Tattersalls October Sale.

Hotazhell continues the great run enjoyed by Blue Diamond Stud's 2yo crop. Of the stud's runners, over 85% have won - in addition to Hotazhell, they include Newmarket debut winner Nebras, Listed-placed Milford, Deauville scorer Burhan debut Ellis Park winner Sashay Away and the nursery winners River Blackwater and Hackney Diamonds.