Zoffany Colt - Under The Radar

In the TDN's series targeting “dark horses” to follow in 2020, Tom Frary speaks to Ralph Beckett about a potentially smart colt in his yard.

MASCAT (GB), c, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Critical Acclaim (GB), by Peintre Celebre.

Bred by Coln Valley Stud and an 80,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 purchase, the stoutly-bred chestnut from the Juddmonte family of Observatory bettered a promising debut second behind ‘TDN Rising Star’ Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) over seven furlongs at Sandown in August with a breakthrough score upped to a mile at Newmarket the following month. It is notable that his maiden victory came in a contest won in the past by such luminaries as Telescope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Eminent (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“He ran well both times and has done well throughout the winter, so we’re looking forward to where he takes us,” Beckett comments. “I don’t have a set theory about him, as he was pretty immature at two and so I expect him to progress. He’ll start off in stakes races and will lead us to his level. I am a fan of his, he is very professional and I think there is plenty to look forward to. He goes about his work well.”

Courtesy of TDN, April 2nd