By Sean Cronin
Tally-Ho Stud resident Persian Force (Mehmas), who has registered six placings from his first nine runners, made a breakthrough when his gelded son Dragon Force prevailed on debut in Wednesday's Prix de l'Appe, a five-furlong claiming race, for Amy Murphy at La Teste.
“All three of mine ran well and that's the first winner for the sire,” Murphy said. “We've just moved to La Teste, so I'm delighted to get that first winner on the board. It's a very good result all-round and, hopefully, it's the first of many.”
Breaking well to race in a prominent third from flagfall, the 39-10 chance came under pressure to gain an edge approaching the final furlong and kept on gamely in the closing stages to deny stablemate Opium Of Success (Penny's Picnic) by a short-neck.
DRAGON FORCE the first winner for Persian Force (Mehmas)
Dam SW Kerasona 1/2 to Gr3 Keratiya@almracing @Tattersalls_ie @StroudColeman @OghillHouseStud @HoStud @AgaKhanStuds pic.twitter.com/hbVaFFF9zS
— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) April 23, 2026
Dragon Force is the latest of 10 reported foals and fifth winner from as many runners produced by Listed Prix Hampton victrix Kerasona (Oasis Dream).
His dam is a half-sister to G3 Prix du Bois winner Keratiya (Iron Mask) and the stakes-placed duo Kermiyan (Green Desert) and Kerman (Invincible Spirit).
The winner is a half-brother to G3 Prix Djebel runner-up Keran (Blue Point) and to the unraced dam of last year's Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint third Moving Melody (Deep Field).
7th-La Teste-Bassin Arcachon, €14,400, Claimer, 4-22, 2yo, 5fT, :58.14, gd.
DRAGON FORCE (IRE) (g, 2, Persian Force {Ire}–Kerasona {Fr} {SW-Fr}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) Sales history: €20,000 Wlg '24 GOFNOV. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €7,200.
O-Anoj Don & Daniel MacAuliffe; B-Anthony Kirwan; T-Amy Murphy.
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