By Sean Cronin
1st-YAR, £15,000, Mdn, 5-3, 3yo, 11f 104yT, 2:25.79, g/f.
+THE GRAND VISIR (GB) (c, 3, Frankel {GB}–Piping {Ire}, by Montjeu {Ire}) lobbed along in a patient fourth from the outset of this first go. Asked to close on the leaders inside the half-mile pole, the 3-1 chance bounded into second approaching the final eighth and stayed on relentlessly under a late drive to deny Fibonacci (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) by a neck in the dying strides. The €750,000 ARAUG yearling becomes the second scorer, from as many foals to race, produced by an unraced daughter of G2 Prix de Royallieu victress and European highweight Saganeca (Sagace {Fr}), whose five black-type performers are headed by G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-winning sire Sagamix (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) and G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud-winning sire Sagacity (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}). Another of Saganeca's offspring, the stakes-placed Shastye (Ire) (Danehill), produced G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 Preis der Diana runner-up Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). The Grand Visir is kin to the 2-year-old filly Inthepipe (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and a yearling filly by Sea the Stars (Ire). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £9,452. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar; B-Qatar Bloodstock, Ecurie des Monceaux & Skymarc Farm (GB); T-William Haggas.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
