Freshman Sire The Grey Gatsby Off The Mark at Compiegne

Haras du Petit Tellier's The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) became the latest European freshman sire off the mark when the Carlos and Yann Lerner-trained 16-5 favourite Jay Gatsby (Fr) shed maiden status in Friday's Prix de la Vallee de l'Automne (Maiden) over seven furlongs at Compiegne.

3rd-Compiegne, €20,000, Mdn, 7-2, 2yo, 7fT, 1:29.13, vsf.
JAY GATSBY (FR) (c, 2, The Grey Gatsby {Ire}–Hijaziyah {GB}, by Testa Rossa {Aus}), who posted a June 11 debut fourth over course and distance last time, was well away to race on the front end from flagfall in this one. Threatened on all sides once into the straight, the 16-5 favourite was stoked up approaching the final furlong and driven out in the closing stages to assert by two lengths from Balnikhov (Ire) (Adaay {Ire}), becoming the first winner for his freshman sire (by Mastercraftsman {Ire}). He is the latest of seven foals and fifth scorer produced by a winning half-sister to Listed Prix de Boulogne winner Mundybash (GB) (Diktat {GB}). The April-foaled chestnut is a half-brother to the dual stakes-placed Yanling (Fr) (Rio de La Plata) and Listed Prix Saraca runner-up Golconda (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}). Sales history: €55,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, €12,700. Video, sponsored by TVG.
O-Paul Le Solleu, Remy Dupuy-Naulot, Ecurie JML Racing & Marc Leonetti; B-Patrick Chedeville (FR); T-Carlos & Yann Lerner.