Wahraan eases to a second successive victory for Al Shaqab Racing

Owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, Wahraan (FR) (Le Havre x Al Jassasiyah) was last seen at Pontefract on 6th July when he broke his maiden in a 2,000 metre maiden race on his 5th start.
He followed up with a convincing and rather dominant 5½-length win in the 0-95 Handicap for three-year-olds and older for trainer Sir Michael Stoute at Newmarket’s July course yesterday.  
The three-year-old colt, who was partnered by jockey Richard Kingscote, sat in last position in the 4-runner race with the six-year-old Big Kitten (USA) (Kitten’s Joy x Queen Martha) leading the proceedings at a steady pace. As they came to the 600-metre maker, the runners picked up and Big Kitten tried vainly to defend his lead from a strong challenge from Wahraan, who put the race to bed. The Al Shaqab Racing’s colt ran home comfortably on the fast ground, proving his credentials as an interesting progressive element for his owner and breeder.
Big Kitten finished second for trainer Mark Johnston and jockey Joe Fanning, a further half length ahead of the George Boughey-trained and Aled Beech-ridden Songkran (IRE) (Slade Power x Choose Me).  Wahraan is by the French sire Le Havre. His dam, Al Jassasiyah, has already produced a winner with Mashael, a filly by Dubawi in training with André Fabre. Al Jassasiyah is a granddaughter of the Group 1 scorer and blue hen Park Express, dam of Derby hero and sire New Approach.