Winning Double for Pride of Dubai
Exciting young sire Pride of Dubai posted a double of new winners on Wednesday with promising filly Mystique Falcon (2f Pride of Dubai x Mystique, by Montjeu) scoring at Sandown before Kahaylaan (2c Pride of Dubai x Magic Nera, by Lonhro) bolted in at Gawler as a short priced favourite.
The colours of Eales Racing have been carried by some outstanding performers including Melbourne Cup hero Shocking and multiple G1 winner Whobegotyou, the back and orange silks featuring aboard promising filly Mystique Falcon.
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Mystique Falcon was unplaced on debut at Sale last month after making a mess of the start, but atoned with a tenacious victory in the 1300m fillies maiden.
Headed in the last furlong by runner-up Derive, she dug deep for Jye McNeil to score a determined win.
“The stable have a high opinion of her so it’s good to get that win in the board for her owner Laurence Eales and his partners,” said Ciaron Maher.
“She’s a raw commodity, a big scopey filly and should stay a trip. She’s got a bright future.”
A $220,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase for Ciaron Maher Racing / Eales Racing from the Inglewood Stud draft, Mystique Falcon is bred along stout lines through her female pedigree so may well get over ground as her career unfolds.
She is a half-sister to stakes-winner Replique and is the fifth winner from five to race from stakes-placed Montjeu mare Mystique, a half-sister to Group II New Zealand Cup (3200m) winner Torlesse from Group I winner Seamist , the 1990 NZ Filly of the Year.
Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Kahaylaan was an unlucky fifth last month when making his debut at Caulfield and always looked a good thing on paper in an 1100m juvenile maiden.
He won accordingly, dashing clear to win by three and a quarter lengths.
Kahaylaan was a $300,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Tyreel Stud draft for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, who bred and raced his sire Pride of Dubai.
Kahaylaan is the first winner from unraced Lonhro mare Magic Nera, a full sister to stakes-winner Tromso and half-sister to stakes-winner Kamacite. There is some real depth to the pedigree as the third dam of Magic Nera is New Zealand Horse of the Year Tidal Light.
Mystique Falcon and Kahaylaan are the 10th and 11th winners for Pride of Dubai (10 in Australia, one in New Zealand), who is the leading Australian first season sire by earnings.
The dual Group I winning son of Street Cry stands at a fee of $38,500.