QREC
Taking his record to four wins from five career starts, the Al Shaqab Racing owned two-year-old LUSAIL (Mehmas x Diaminda) proved much too good for his rivals in taking the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Gr.2) at York racecourse, on Friday, 20 August. Trained by Richard Hannon, LUSAIL was adding a second straight Group 2 success to his CV, following his win in the Tattersalls July Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival last month and justifying being the favourite of the six-furlong contest at York.
Ridden by Pat Dobbs, LUSAIL was ideally drawn in stall 7 and chased early leaders LAST CRUSADER (Oasis Dream) and GIS A SUB (Acclamation) through the first two furlongs. The second favourite, BERKSHIRE SHADOW (Dark Angel) was slow out of the stalls and was never towards the early pace. Inside the final three furlongs, Dobbs began to nudge LUSAIL and the colt moved up between the two early leaders and gradually worked his way to the front of the field. Inside the final furlong, LUSAIL saw off all challenges and galloped strongly through the line to win by two lengths. The Kevin Ryan trained and Kevin Stott-ridden GIS A SUB stuck on well to claim second, while The M D O’Callaghan-trained and Leigh Roche-ridden TWILIGHT JET (Twilight Son) put in good late work to take third, further three quarters of a mile behind.
“We brought him here for his maiden and he surprised us that day”, said the winning trainer Richard Hannon after the race, “You have to be delighted with what he has done here, especially carrying a penalty. We think he will be better next year and he stays seven furlongs. The Guineas could be on the cards and we will have him in all the right races. We have a lot to look forward to with him. Fantastic!”
LUSAIL was purchased at Tattersalls October Book 2. Bred by Tally Ho Stud, LUSAIL is a son of MEMHAS (Acclamation), who was also owned by Al Shaqab Racing and was Champion First-Season Sire in Europe in 2020. His dam, DIAMINDA (Diamond Green) won her maiden at Ascot and is a daughter of LOMINDA (Lomond), who produced Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes winner FAYR JAG (Fayruz).