By Sean Cronin
Al Mohamediya Racing's twice-raced maiden winner Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}–Twilight Thyme {GB}, by Bahamian Bounty {GB}), previously untested at stakes level, was clearly the best of a nine-strong field in Thursday's G2 Kingdom of Bahrain July S. at Newmarket, powering by every opponent in the closing stages to win the six-furlong contest in decisive fashion. The 16-1 chance was placed under immediate restraint and trailed all eight rivals after an alert getaway from the stands' side gate. Making smooth headway into contention after halfway, he was shaken up to launch his bid approaching the final furlong and quickened impressively up the hill to win going away, by two lengths, from Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never) for a career high.
Jasour shaped with promise when a May 18 debut second over five furlongs at Salisbury and graduated over much the same trip in a low-key maiden at Nottingham last month. This black-type debut, his third start, was his first attempt at six furlongs.
“He always gave us a lot of promise and we felt that dropping him in behind was going to see bigger improvement,” explained winning trainer Clive Cox after notching a first win in the race. “He has just run in two races where nothing has been able to lead him early. Stepping up to six [furlongs] was a step into the unknown, but he is going the right way and I'm happy. I'm so pleased for Sheikh Sultan as he is a big supporter and, following on from Golden Horde, this is a real nice horse to have. He will go to the [G2] Richmond [at Goodwwod] from here, but he will have an entry in the [G1 Prix] Morny and we will see what is what.” The winning owner, His Highness Sheikh Sultan, added, “We are delighted, all of my horses are with Clive and he has been brilliant for Al Mohamediya racing. We knew that ours was good, but the others were good too. Everything worked well and we are happy. There are plenty of races for him in the season.”
Pedigree Notes
Jasour, the fifth pattern-race winner for his second-crop sire (by Havana Gold {Ire}), is the third of four foals and lone scorer out of an unraced half-sister to MG1SW sire Twilight Son (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), multiple Group-winning G1 Haydock Sprint Cup third Music Master (GB) (Piccolo {GB}), dual stakes-winning G1 British Champions Sprint runner-up Run To Freedom (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Listed Land O'Burns Fillies' S. victrix Spring Fling (GB) (Assertive {GB}). The April-foaled grey's second dam Twilight Mistress (GB) (Bin Ajwaad {Ire}) is a half-sister to Listed Washington Singer S. third Romantic Evening (Ire) (Dr Fong). Jasour is kin to a yearling colt by Mohaather (GB) and hails from the family of G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-winning sire Wassl (GB) (Mill Reef).
🏇 Last to first!
Jasour (16/1) flies home for a commanding win in the Kingdom Of Bahrain July Stakes at @NewmarketRace. A first win in the Group 2 feature for Clive Cox and @JimCrowley1978. Lake Forest (7/1) and Toca Madera (40/1) fill the places. pic.twitter.com/Moym0tXnCb
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 13, 2023
Thursday, Newmarket, Britain
KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN JULY S.-G2, £100,000, Newmarket, 7-13, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:11.11, g/f.
1–JASOUR (GB), 128, c, 2, by Havana Grey (GB)
1st Dam: Twilight Thyme (GB), by Bahamian Bounty (GB)
2nd Dam: Twilight Mistress (GB), by Bin Ajwaad (Ire)
3rd Dam: By Candlelight (Ire), by Roi Danzig
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (£85,000 Ylg '22 GOFFUK). O-Al Mohamediya Racing; B-Wardley Bloodstock (GB); T-Clive Cox; J-Jim Crowley. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $81,429. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Lake Forest (GB), 128, c, 2, No Nay Never–Lady Aquitaine, by El Prado (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (130,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Silver Racing; B-Sahara Group Holdings (GB); T-William Haggas. £21,500.
3–Toca Madera (Ire), 128, g, 2, Bated Breath (GB)–Hala Hala (Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€40,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1; £45,000 Ylg '22 GOFFUK). O-Family Amusements Ltd & J Botton; B-Tinnakill Bloodstock (IRE); T-Brian Meehan. £10,760.
Margins: 2, HD, 1 1/4. Odds: 16.00, 7.00, 11.00.
Also Ran: Thunder Blue (GB), Purosangue (GB), Malc (GB), Mountain Bear (Ire), Maximum Impact (GB), Chief Mankato (GB).
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.