DOHA: Notching up a third win, and second straight victory, from only four career starts and In the colours of Al Shaqab Racing, ultra-game colt LUSAIL (IRE) (Mehmas x Diaminda) stuck his neck out to claim the Group Two Tattersalls July Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.
Trained by Richard Hannon and ridden to perfection by Pat Dobbs, LUSAIL broke quickly out of the stalls for the six-furlong contest for two-year-olds and was aimed up the centre of the course.
With a brisk pace being set, Dobbs chose to steady the colt after two furlongs and LUSAIL travelled strongly in third position, leading the group in the centre of the track.
Two furlongs from home both groups began to merge and it was apparent that LUSIAL was travelling better than most. He was sent for home inside the final furlong and held off big challenges from the eventual second and third-placed colts to land a head victory.
The Alan King-trained and Martin Harley-ridden Asymmetric (IRE) (Showcasing x Swirral Edge), who took second while his half-brother the Tom Dascombe-trained and P J McDonald-ridden San Maximus (Showcasing x Daring Day), was a further head behind in third.
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).
