Black Type No Nay Never Colt Off The Mark

Stakes performer Alabama (2c No Nay Never - Dream The Blues, by Oasis Dream) gained a well-deserved maiden win when justifying favouritism at Dundalk on Friday.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge has run with great promise on all his starts, including when finishing fifth in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes and finishing a close second on his next two starts at Listed level. He remained over the minimum trip in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race and raced prominently throughout under Colin Keane. Leading after the two furlong pole, he ran on well when asked and kept on to beat Emerald Banner (Starspangledbanner) by half a length.

Speaking after the race, the winning rider said, “With his rating and his runs, he was entitled to do that but I'd say that surface and going round the bend really helped him over that trip. He enjoyed that surface. He's a real good, low-actioned horse.”

A return to Stakes company may now be on the cards for Alabama, who holds an entry in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at the end of the month. Bred by Fethard Bloodstock, the close relation to Sioux Nation is owned by Coolmore partners with Westerberg.