By Sean Cronin
Acquired by connections for £1.2-million at Goffs' London sale in June, former Andrew Balding-trained G1 Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}–Sensationally {GB}, by Montjeu {Ire}) celebrated a first victory in six starts since annexing York's Convivial Maiden last term with an impressive tally for trainer George Boughey in Saturday's G3 William Hill March S., staged in memory of John Dunlop, at Goodwood.
The G1 St Leger, G1 Irish St Leger and G1 Melbourne Cup entry tanked forward to track the tempo in second after the initial exchanges of this 14-furlong marathon. Under wraps until shaken up soon after passing the two pole, the 3-10 favourite quickened to the fore approaching the final furlong and lengthened clear of Perfect Alibi (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) to defeat that pacesetting rival by 2 1/2 lengths in impressive fashion. Animato (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) finished 6 1/2 lengths further adrift in third.
“The thing we learned was he was stepping up to 14 furlongs, which defies his pedigree,” said George Boughey. “William [Buick] said he's a horse who doesn't feel like he'll stay, but then he does stay. He has that class edge and on ratings he was expected to win, but he didn't do a huge amount today. I just wanted to see him relax and hit the line. It was softer ground and a trip he'd never run over before, so William was delighted and it's good to have ticked a box. It's pretty late at night or early morning in Australia and I'll speak to Gai [Waterhouse] and Adrian [Bott] on the way home. We'll let the dust settle and the [G1 St] Leger is the logical step for him.”
Hoo Ya Mal becomes the second pattern-race winner for his sire (by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and the first for Sensationally, who has six scorers from as many runners to her credit. His second dam, G1 Juddmonte International heroine One So Wonderful, produced GII San Diego H. victor Sun Boat (GB) (Machaivellian) and is also the second dam of the Group 3 victrix Four White Socks (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Hoo Ya Mal's third dam Someone Special, herself kin to G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. heroine Milligram (GB) (Mill Reef), has four black-type winners of her own headed by G2 Dante S.-winning sire Alnasr Alwasheek (GB) (Sadler's Wells) and G3 Rockfel S. victrix Relatively Special (GB) Alzao). Someone Special is out of G1 1000 Guineas heroine One In A Million (Ire) (Rarity {GB}), whose descendants also include the dual Group 1-winning distaffer Speedy Boarding (GB) (Shamardal). Sensationally has an unraced 2-year-old colt by Mukhadram (GB) and a weanling filly by Belardo (Ire) to come.
Saturday, Goodwood, Britain
WILLIAM HILL MARCH S.-G3, £100,000, Goodwood, 8-27, 3yo, 14fT, 3:04.31, g/s.
1–HOO YA MAL (GB), 130, c, 3, by Territories (Ire)
1st Dam: Sensationally (GB), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: One So Wonderful (GB), by Nashwan
3rd Dam: Someone Special (GB), by Habitat
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (40,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT; £1,200,000 3yo '22 GOFLON). O-GO Bloodstock & Partners; B-Meon Valley Stud (GB); T-George Boughey; J-William Buick. £56,710. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 8-2-3-3, $611,428. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Perfect Alibi (GB), 127, f, 3, Le Havre (Ire)–Daphne (GB), by Duke of Marmalade (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-The Queen (GB); T-William Haggas. £21,500.
3–Animato (GB), 130, g, 3, Ulysses (Ire)–Blithe (GB), by Pivotal (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-David O'Meara. £10,760.
Margins: 2HF, 6HF, 9. Odds: 0.30, 3.00, 20.00.
Also Ran: Pink Fire Lilly (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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