Smart Colt Continues Promising Start For The Gurkha

Majd Al Arab (2c The Gurkha - Celtic Filly, by Footstepsinthesand) created a fine impression when running out a smart winner of Thursday’s seven furlong maiden at Chelmsford.

A close second over six furlongs at Newmarket in June, the Mark Johnston-trained colt was sent off favourite under Franny Norton on his latest start. Chasing the leaders, he led when travelling best approaching the final furlong and was shaken up to go clear, scoring by an easy four and a half lengths.

Owned and bred by Mohammed Bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiya, Majd Al Arab becomes the first winner out of Celtic Filly (Footstepsinthesand), herself a winning half-sister to dual Listed and Cambridgeshire winner Dolphin Vista (Zoffany).

The bay continues a promising start at stud for top-class miler The Gurkha, whose other winners include Jessica Harrington’s Leopardstown maiden winner Fly Girl, debut scorer Sugauli and the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained maiden winner La Bure.