TORONTO, August 6 – Four-year-old Royal Egbert, a stablemate of 1-5 favourite Gypsy Ring, stole the spotlight in Holiday Monday’s $125,000 Shepperton Stakes, at Woodbine.

The Ontario-bred son of Old Forester, who was the 9-2 second choice, notched his third consecutive win for owner, trainer and breeder, Paul Buttigieg. Gypsy Ring was fourth.

Under Richard Dos Ramos, Royal Egbert broke sharply and went straight to the front in the 6 ½-furlong Polytrack feature, joined on the inside by Raincoats’ntuxedos through opening splits of :22.58 and :45.33.

Ahead by 3 ½ lengths at the stretch call, Royal Egbert crossed the wire a comfortable four-length winner in what represented his first added-money appearance. Executive Five was second, while Raincoats’ntuxedos was third.

The final time was 1:16.65.

It was a rewarding win for Dos Ramos, who was aboard Royal Egbert for the fourth time, including the past three starts. The dark bay gelding has four wins and one third from seven career races.

“This horse is naturally fast and I just don’t want to take him out of his own race,” noted Dos Ramos. “But he did relax for me. He was great. I know the other horse, ‘Gypsy,’ is always coming. I just wanted to keep riding.”

Royal Egbert paid $11.70, $5.90 and $8.80, combining with Executive Five ($9, $14.80) for a $96.40 exactor. Raincoats’ntuxedos ($13.80) completed a $308.90 triactor.

Thoroughbred racing resumes on Wednesday evening. First post is 6:45 p.m.