Impressive Newcomer Completes Double For Calyx

Nellie Leylax (2c Calyx - Lovelocks, by High Chaparral) completed a double for first season sire Calyx on Monday when making a smart debut at Beverley.

One of 12 to line up for the Class 2 maiden over five furlongs, the Tom Dascombe-trained newcomer was slowly away, before racing towards the back of the field under Pierre-Louis Jamin. The colt showed signs of inexperience when asked to quicken, but the penny appeared to drop approaching the final furlong, when he produced an impressive turn of foot. Running on strongly, he led close home to beat the favourite by half a length, with another five and a half lengths back to the third.

The Racing Post noted "an amazing performance to win this. Near the back early after a tardy start, he looked to face an impossible task for most of the way, but he really took off inside the last furlong and swept past the runner-up (who had gone clear)".

There should be a lot more to come from Nellie Leylax, who is owned by Millenial Racing. Bred by Glenvale Stud and Edgeridge Ltd, he completed a double on the day for Calyx, with Grand Son Of Calyx (Calyx) having earlier won by four lengths at Saint-Cloud.

It continues an exciting start made by Calyx’s first runners, with impressive Newmarket debutant Persian Dreamer (Calyx) now a leading Royal Ascot fancy. His progeny have also sold for up to £160,000 at the recent breeze-up sales and he has two colts catalogued for this week's Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up sale.