By Tom Frary
There was a buzz at the seaside track of Yarmouth surrounding Akhu Najla (GB) (Kingman {GB}) on Tuesday and the Roger Varian-trained half-brother to Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) did not disappoint as he became the latest TDN Rising Star in 2022. Now the 17th of that ilk for the Banstead Manor resident, KHK Racing Ltd's top-priced colt at the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 at 2.7million guineas slammed the well-regarded Gosden runner Knight of Honour (Ire) (Decorated Knight {GB}) in the Norfolk venue's QuinnBet Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden S. over a mile. A neck second to Shadwell's exciting Ikhtiraaq (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) when Knight of Honour was a short head back in third on debut over seven furlongs at Leicester in October, the 8-11 shot travelled easily for David Egan racing away from the remainder in a share of the early lead. In command before he was shaken up approaching the furlong marker, the bay opened up to beat his old rival by 6 1/2 lengths as Canters Well (Ire) (Caravaggio), who had useful form in Ireland last term, chased the runner-up a further 3 1/4 lengths away.
Varian is looking at the Listed Heron S. at Sandown May 26, with a view to using that race as a stepping stone to the June 14 G1 St James's Palace S. at the Royal meeting. Interestingly, that was also the route taken in 2018 by Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who had also impressed at Yarmouth when making his 3-year-old bow at this meeting. “That was impressive and I think we'll stick to the mile with him just now, although he could get further,” his trainer said.
The aforementioned Galileo Gold, who was the first foal out of Galicuix (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), captured the G1 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace as well as the G2 Vintage S., MG1SW-Eng, G1SP-Fr, G1SP-Ire, $1,369,565. Galicuix is a half to Goldream (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who took the G1 King's Stand S., G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp and G3 Palace House S., while the third dam Cuixmala (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}) is a half-sister to the brilliant European champion and distinguished sire Montjeu (Ire). After Akhu Najla, the dam has a yearling filly by Too Darn Hot (GB).
3rd-Great Yarmouth, £7,300, Mdn, 4-26, 3yo/up, 8f 3yT, 1:35.39, g/f.
AKHU NAJLA (GB), c, 3, by Kingman (GB)
1st Dam: Galicuix (GB), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Clizia (Ire), by Machiavellian
3rd Dam: Cuixmala (Fr), by Highest Honor (Fr)
(2,700,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $8,469. O-KHK Racing Ltd; B-Pantile Stud (GB); T-Roger Varian. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Race replay.
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