Zoffany Colt Digs Deep For Deserved Maiden Win

Saturday saw the Joseph O’Brien-trained Tar Heel (2c Zoffany - Nidhaal, by Danehill Dancer) gain a deserved maiden success when taking the five and a half furlong maiden at Navan.

Placed three times previously, he faced 11 rivals on his latest start and was ridden to chase the leaders by Mikey Sheehy. Ridden to make headway approaching the final furlong, he led narrowly soon after and dug deep to deny Tashgheel by a neck.

Representing Joseph O’Brien, Brendan Powell said after the race, “You always say that horses deserve to win races but he really does. He tries and he's just kept finding one or two too good. He's ground that out well and the experience told as well today. He's a big enough horse too so hopefully he might go on to next season as well.”

A £85,000 yearling purchase by O’Brien and Aidan O’Ryan, Tar Heel is owned by David Forecast. Bred by Newstead Breeding out of Listed winner Nidhaal, the son of Zoffany provides an important update for his full-sister selling as Lot 331 at next week’s Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale.