Jockey Andrea Atzeni (centre) guides Al Shaqab Racing’s Lusail (IRE) to win the Constant Security ebfstallions.com Maiden Stakes at York, UK on Thursday. Pic: Racingfotos
Al Shaqab Racing’s Lusail (IRE) (Mehmas x Diaminda) made a winning debut when he won the Constant Security ebfstallions.com Maiden Stakes, a 1,200 metrerace for two-year-olds at York, UK on Thursday.
Trained by Richard Hannon Jnr and ridden by Andrea Atzeni, Lusail showed his courage in the final stages as he pushed his way forward to challenge the leader, the Tim Easterby-trained and David Allan-ridden Mattice (GB) (Mattmu x Ice Mayden) and outpoint him by three-quarters of a length.
The Charlie Appleby-trained and William Buick-ridden Albahr (GB) (Dubawi x Falls Of Lora) was further 1¾ lengths behind in third. Lusail was bred by the TallyHo Stud and was purchase as a yearling at the Tattersalls sales.
With this win under his belt in his first start ever, the bay colt further underlined the qualities of his sire Mehmas, who also raced under the Al Shaqab Racing banner, as he topped the first season sires’ list in 2020.
An achievement that was further underscored by the fact that his initial crop yielded a record 56 winners for a first season sire.
