News

Aussie Colt Wins UAE Guineas Trial

4th Feb 2010

Breednet - Tara Madgwick - Friday, 5 February 2010

Australian bred colt Musir started his Dubai campaign on the right note when taking out the UAE Guineas Trial at Meydan on Thursday for leading trainer Mike de Kock.

The son of Redoute’s Choice carried the top weight of 62kg and defeated the Godolphin entry Frozen Power to win the 1400 metre event by a half length, with another Redoute’s Choice colt Solid Choice also putting in a good showing with a fourth place finish.

Like his Australian bred stablemate Raihana, who won the UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial last week, Musir was also partnered by champion international jockey Christophe Soumillon.

“When I came into the straight I was running better than everyone,” Soumillon told Racing Post.

"When Frankie (Dettori) came at me in the last 100 yards I just pushed him again and it was a good win for him today."

A homebred for Sheikh Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Musir was the champion two-year-old in South Africa last year and is held in high regard by his trainer.

“He was a very good juvenile and we were hopeful of a big run, despite the Group I penalty,” said de Kock

"He has a very high natural cruising speed and is a horse with a touch of class. The Guineas will be next on the agenda."

Musir now has the overall record of three wins and a second from four starts with a career best win in the Group I Golden Horseshoe in South Africa last year.

Bred in Australia by the Sheikh, Musir was offered at the 2008 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (pictured) by Coolmore as agent passing in shy of his $1million reserve and subsequently sent to South Africa.

Musir is the first foal of stakes-placed Encosta de Lago mare Dizzy de Lago, who has had just the one foal since he was born, a yearling colt by Elusive Quality (USA) and she was covered last spring by Coolmore’s five-time Group One winner Duke of Marmalade (IRE).

Musir is an important horse for the Australian breeding industry as he is a global ambassador that happens to represent our two champion sires Redoute’s Choice and Encosta de Lago.

The same cross is carried by boom two-year-old colt Beneteau, who will contest the Group Three MRC Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield on Saturday.