Son Of Galileo Books Ticket To Royal Ascot

Nayef Road (4c Galileo - Rose Bonheur, by Danehill Dancer) booked himself a ticket to Royal Ascot when making a successful step up in trip in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Newcastle.

Successful in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes and third in the St Leger last season, he tackled an extended two miles and an all-weather surface for the first time on Saturday. Ben Curtis rode him to track the leader, improving to lead approaching the two furlong pole and was ridden out to hold off stablemate Mildenberger by three parts of a length.

Speaking after the race, Curtis said, “Everything went perfectly, Nayef Road travelled round beautifully. When I went for him he put the race to bed, it was an armchair ride for me.” Charlie Johnston, assistant to winning trainer Mark Johnston, added that the first two home would be aimed at the Ascot Gold Cup.

Owned by Mohamed Obaida, Nayef Road was bred by Ben Sangster out of dual Listed winner Rose Bonheur, herself a daughter of Moyglare Stud Stakes second Red Feather.