By Tom Frary
It may have taken time to see him in action, but Qatar Racing and Watership Down Stud's 3.5million gns 2018 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 Sale topper Darain (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) made the wait worthwhile with a command performance to earn TDN Rising Star status on his debut on Wednesday's evening card at Newbury. Sent off the 2-1 favourite for division two of the 10-furlong Oakley Coachbuilders Super Sport Novice S., the bay was allowed to bowl along on the front end by Oisin Murphy and ambled along with Winter Reprise (Fr) (Intello {Ger}). Asked to step it up approaching two out, the John Gosden-trained son of Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) powered clear to record a 4 3/4-length success as Godolphin's newcomer Brilliant Light (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) grabbed second by half a length from Winter Reprise. “We didn't go very fast early as they were inexperienced horses and we really got racing from the bottom of the straight,” Murphy said. “Darain went through the gears well and galloped right to the line. I'm pleased with him, he has an exciting future.”
Although he is a full-brother to 2018's juvenile sensation Too Darn Hot (GB), Hwt. 2yo Colt-Eur, Hwt. 3yo-Fr at 5-7f, Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 7-9 1/2f, Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 7-9 1/2f, Hwt. 2yo Colt-Eng, G1SW-Fr, MG1SW-Eng, G1SP-Ire, $1,651,829, Darain is more in the mould of his dam who was also labelled a TDN Rising Star prior to recording three successes at the highest level over 10 and 12 furlongs. Top-class racemare and now broodmare supreme, she has thrown four black-type performers with the smart multiple group-placed colt De Treville (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB})–now a resident sire at Haras du Mezeray–followed by the trio of Dubawis So Mi Dar (GB), Lah Ti Dar (GB) and the aforementioned Too Darn Hot. So Mi Dar was like her dam successful in the G3 Musidora S. before finishing third in the G1 Prix de l'Opera, GSW-Eng, G1SP-Fr, $242,742, while Lah Ti Dar took the G2 Middleton S. and stayed sufficiently to be runner-up in the G1 St Leger, GSW & MG1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr, $637,568.
Darain has everything going for him to become a leading light, with other significant presences under the G1 Prix Vermeille-winning second dam Darara (Ire) (Top Ville {Ire}) including the G1 Prince of Wales's S. and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic hero Rewilding (GB) (Tiger Hill {Ire}), the G1 Ranvet S. winner Darazari (Ire) and his Hong Kong champion full-brother Diaghilev (Ire). Also related to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club-winning champion and leading sire Darshaan (GB) and G1 Coronation Cup and G1 Hong Kong Vase scorer Daliapour (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), Dar Re Mi has 2-year-old and yearling full-sisters to Darain to follow.
7th-Newbury, £5,400, Novice, 7-8, 3yo, 10fT, 2:11.87, g/s.
DARAIN (GB), c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Dar Re Mi (GB) (Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at 11-14f, G1SW-Ire, UAE & Eng, GSW & G1SP-Fr, GISP-US, $4,359,112), by Singspiel (Ire)
2nd Dam: Darara (Ire), by Top Ville (Ire)
3rd Dam: Delsy (Fr), by Abdos (Fr)
Sales history: 3,500,000gns Ylg '18 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $4,381.
O-Qatar Racing Ltd and Watership Down Stud; B-Watership Down Stud (GB); T-John Gosden. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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