The low point of the year was the death of good servant Majeed on Shergar Cup Day at Ascot. Majeed suffered a fatal heart attack during his race. He was originally bought by Mark at the Arqana Yearling Sale, he was the first offspring of Mount Nelson to sell as a yearling at public auction. He won over £130,000 over a six year racing career. He was above all else a star!
Uncategorized Archives
A lovely four-year old daughter of Lawman in foal to Equiano for 38,000 guineas was the reward for days and days of studying the mares on offer at Tattersalls December Sales. A sister to Librisa Breeze, heroine of the Group 1 Sprint on Champions day last year at Ascot, this grey mare was our first choice. Rarely do we go home with our first choice against so many buyers with bigger budgets.
It has been a very good year for Mark’s purchases, headed by True Mason who was placed at the highest level at two and looks to be the sort who will go on to win at the highest level at three. Other good ones with a future are La Yakfi, Lively Lidia and Raakib Alhawa.
True Mason, who is Group 1 placed at two will run tomorrow in the Cornwallis at Newmarket. Having looked the winner at the furlong post in Group 1s and 2s over six furlongs, he should be able to use his superior boot to collar this Group 3. Fingers crossed!
The market spoke before the race with True Mason drifting from 5/2 fav. out to 4/1.
We all thought that, being by Mayson, True Mason would relish the soft ground (which many described as heavy). However, though looking the winner when heading Kessaar at the furlong pole, he was soon changing legs and losing his stride with the winner pulling away and the new favourite gaining in third at the post. Was he caught out by the stiff six in that ground? Will he run back in the Middle Park? Would he benefit from headgear?
Certainly more questions than answers. It will be interesting to know whether he lost any weight for the run.
Raakib Alhawa joined an illustrious roll of honour in making a winning debut in the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions Stakes at Newbury.
The David Simcock-trained son of Kingman showed no signs of inexperience to defy his 25-1 price tag claim the mile prize, which has been won in the past by the likes of Shergar, Rainbow Quest, Nayef and Authorized.
Picking up smartly under Andrea Atzeni, the Khalifa Dasmal-owned two year old moved into contention inside the final furlong before defeating last-time-out winner Dashing Willoughby by a neck.
Raakib Alhawa was selected by Mark with the help of Luke O’Neill from a line up of horses that had been bought speculatively by David during the sales season last year. Mark was not involved in the naming of this colt so has no idea what it means!
Cool Dream, a homebred yearling colt by Bated Breath put together by Mark and raised by Haras du Logis makes €45,000 at Osarus bought by good judge Con Marnane. No doubt we will see him at the breeze ups in France next year. Mark bought his mother for 38,000 guineas.
Mark’s purchase Lively Lydia confirmed she was an improver with a commanding win in a Plus 10 maiden at Kempton over seven furlongs last Wednesday evening. She holds a Rockfel Stakes (Group 2) entry!!
Mark’s yearling purchase improved again in the Morny beaten by two exceptional fillies who he had to give 4lbs to. Hopefully the Middle Park will not see these fillies oppose him again. The next obvious target is the sales race at Doncaster if he comes out of this well. Stallion good looks, pedigree and now Group 1 form!
Homebred and full sister to Visionary, Forward Thinker wins at Redcar in a Median Auction Maiden over 7f. So a nice little update for her yearling brother who is due under the hammer at Arqana at the weekend.
