Dark Swan, the bay filly by Midnight Hawk out of Oh Ha Light, broke her maiden on December 14, 2025 with a commanding win in the three-year-old fillies’ maiden event over five furlongs (1,000m) round.

Trained by Gresford Smith and ridden by apprentice jockey Emelio McLean, Dark Swan clocked 1:03.4 (25.1 x 50.0) to secure her first victory. This win marks a turnaround for Dark Swan, who finished second by four lengths to Ascend in her debut on November 29, 2025.

For trainer Smith it was relief as not only was he saddling his third winner in 2025, he took his time with Dark Swan before getting her into the competitive fold.

“This is a good win for the stables as a lot of patience was required by all involved to get Dark Swan to the races in a manner where she could perform and actually win. Dark Swan has her issues which led to her making her first racing appearance in November.

“We were encouraged by that second-place finish, and now she is a winner. For that success, I am a happy man,” Smith said.

Drawn in gate number one, jockey McLean made his intentions very clear when the starter pressed the go button, as he pushed Dark Swan into the lead, then held a steady gallop round the bend.

In the final two furlongs, McLean kept Dark Swan going as You’re My Sweetie (Dane Dawkins) came rushing home. In the end, Dark Swan still had 2 ¾ lengths to spare. Finishing third was
BadBadTanesha (Tevin Foster).