No Nay Never Colt Delivers On Debut Promise

The Michael Bell-trained Mr Kiki (2c No Nay Never - Jacquelin Jag, by Fayruz) built on a promising debut to take Thursday’s six furlong Novice Stakes at Yarmouth.

The Amo Racing-owned colt was beaten just a length in an Ascot maiden last month and Callum Shepherd was back on board for his second start. He tracked his nearest market rival closely, asserting two furlongs out and was pushed out to hold off challengers inside the final furlong. The winning margin was three parts of a length.

A step up in class may now be in store for Mr Kiki, who holds an entry in next month’s Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes. The Canice Farrell-bred juvenile was a 450,000gns yearling purchase by Alex Elliott and is a half-brother to seven-time winner Jaganory (Dylan Thomas), bred out of a full-sister to top sprinter Fayr Jag. Friday provided a timely update for the dam’s Footstepsinthesand yearling, who sells at Tattersalls Ireland in September.