Highly Rated No Nay Never Colt Off The Mark

Group performer Sierra Blanca (2c No Nay Never - Alexandrova, by Sadler’s Wells) gained a deserved victory in Sunday’s mile maiden at Naas.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt finished second in a Curragh maiden in September, with the winner Espionage (Galileo), who subsequently suffered a narrow defeat in the Group 1 Criterium International. Sierra Blanca went on to finished second in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes, and so, it came as little surprise to see the bay sent off favourite at the final meeting of the flat season.

Seamie Heffernan rode him in a prominent position and quickened to lead approaching the final furlong. Ridden out, he ran on to score by three and a quarter lengths from Sprewell (Churchill).

Rated 101 before Sunday’s win, Sierra Blanca holds an entry in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Bred by Coolmore, the son of No Nay Never is owned by Westerberg, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.