Masar ex Quenelle

*Bought from Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2 - Europe’s largest yearling sale and producer of Group 1 winners BAYSIDE BOY, ADDEYBB, EMILY UPJOHN, MINZAAL, DESERT CROWN, STATE OF REST and ZAAKI.*

There was a lot of competition to secure this striking colt who was a real stand out in the parade ring, and we were delighted when the hammer fell at only 100,000 GNS for us. A tall, strong horse with real presence and an exceptional action, he looks as though he will make quite an impact on the track. We expect he will show promise at two, but he should really make himself known as a three-year-old in the same manner as his Derby-winning sire, and is certainly one that will be worth the wait.

He goes into training with Classic-winning Andrew Balding, who has seen us rise to Stakes level this year. Twice-winner of the 2000 Guineas and securing a victory in the Oaks, Andrew already has two of the Classics behind his belt, and we are very hopeful that we have a Derby contender in the making to add to his, and our, roll of honour!

“He is a lovely, balanced horse - a great mover with lots of presence and is the type that should have a meaningful career next year, but will hopefully be doing great things as a three-year-old.” - Andrew Balding

Pedigree

This colt stems from a long line of Derby winners, with his sire MASAR, grandsire NEW APPROACH and great grandsire GALILEO, all successful in the acclaimed race. They descend from URBAN SEA, the dam of not only the great GALILEO, but also Derby victor and outstanding stallion SEA THE STARS. 

MASAR was superb on the track, being an unexpectedly precocious two-year-old despite his middle distance breeding, and broke his maiden first time up over 6f in May, beating INVINCIBLE ARMY who would later go on to be a Group 2 sprinter. MASAR didn’t stop there, going on to win the Group 3 Solario Stakes over 7f again at two, before stepping up a gear at three to win the Group 3 Craven Stakes, place third in the 2000 Guineas and then triumph in the Derby a month later. 

On his damside there is also a long line of middle distance superstars to note. QUENELLE was a winning mare by top-class American sire NAYEF, and is a proven producer of quality, having had four winners from four runners, including Listed winner QUENELLE D’OR. She descends from the same family as the extraordinary race-mare OUIJA BOARD who won the Oaks, Hong Kong Vase and the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf twice, and was a seven-time Group 1 winner in all before producing AUSTRALIA, who won the Derby himself.