By Tom Frary
The Curragh's Tuesday card started with a bang as Al Shaqab Racing's newcomer Saracen (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}–Soteria {Ire}, by Acclamation {GB}) made an impressive start to his career in the six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Restrained behind the front pair by Dylan Browne McMonagle throughout the early stages, the Joseph O'Brien-trained 3-1 shot who was a €500,000 purchase at Arqana Deauville August moved to the long-time leader Pickersgill (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining before staying on to score by four lengths.
“He was impressive, he's a nice colt and had been showing up well at home,” the trainer said of the winner, a relative of the first-season sire Mohaather (GB). “He was going to make his debut a few weeks ago, but just had a little setback. He quickened up really smartly there and looks like a smart horse for next season. I'm delighted to have, what potentially looks like, a good horse for Al Shaqab and the team. They've been good supporters of ours.
“This guy will come back for a Guineas trial in the spring. We were a little bit worried about [soft] ground conditions, but you have no choice at this time of year. We were hopeful that he'd cope with them, but given his pedigree and how he looks I'd expect him to be better on a faster surface. Obviously he'll have no problem going a bit further as well, given his pedigree.”
😍 Taking debut
500,000gns buy Saracen (Siyouni) does the business in fine style @JosephOBrien2 | @AlShaqabRacing | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/DZ5wzQLe2d
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 22, 2024
The dam, whose yearling full-brother to the winner sold the same afternoon to George Mullins for €290,000, is also responsible for the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes-placed Imperial Yellow (Ire) (New Bay {GB}). She is a half-sister to four black-type performers including the G1 Prix Morny runner-up Gallagher (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) and the dam of Showcasing's aforementioned G1 Sussex Stakes-winning first-crop sire Mohaather (GB) and GII Monrovia Stakes and GII San Clemente Handicap winner Prize Exhibit (GB).
1st-Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 10-22, 2yo, 6fT, 1:16.42, sf.
SARACEN (FR) (c, 2, Siyouni {Fr}–Soteria {Ire}, by Acclamation {GB}) Sales history: €500,000 Ylg '23 ARAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $12,989. O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-China Horse Club International Ltd (FR); T-Joseph O'Brien.
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