Full Brother To Douvan Doesn’t Disappoint At Newbury

All eyes turned to Saturday’s bumper at Newbury, where £570,000 point-to-point purchase Jonbon (5g Walk In The Park - Star Face, by Saint Des Saints) made his first start for JP McManus and Nicky Henderson, and the full-brother to Douvan did not disappoint.

Unsurprisingly sent off favourite under Nico de Boinville, the bay tracked the leaders and led approaching the two furlong marker. Shaken up to go clear in the final furlong, he quickened clear as his rivals did their best to narrow the gap.

Speaking after the race, a delighted Nicky Henderson said, “He relaxed, raced beautifully and quickened up well. He's a gorgeous horse who has the looks and pedigree. It's only the first step of what I hope will be a long and successful career – he's something to look forward to.”

On future plans for Jonbon, he added, “He'll go back to JP's Martinstown Stud for the summer and we've all got a summer where we can dream of what might happen next season – I think he is a bit special.”

Dreams of what Jonbon might achieve began when Paul Holden and Michael Shefflin went to €140,000 for the Lotfi Kohli-bred bay at the Derby Sale at Tattersalls Ireland. He rewarded their brave investment the following November, when racing 15 lengths clear in a four-year-old maiden at Dromahane for Ellmarie Holden.

Many wonder if he can reach the lofty heights of his brother Douvan (Walk In The Park), who has won eight Grade 1 contests and another four Grade 2 races. Walk In The Park moved to Grange Stud off the back of Douvan and Min’s exploits and his first crop of Irish four-year-olds have already made their mark with a treble at Punchestown, while newcomer Dreamsrmadeofthis announced herself as an exciting prospect earlier this week.