Toronado making a Name for himself at Kempton

Toronado could have a Classic runner from his very first crop following the victory of Name The Wind in the Racing TV Conditions Stakes at Kempton.

Al Shaqab’s stallion, who stood for three seasons at the National Stud before a transfer to Haras de Bouquetot, was fourth in the 2,000 Guineas in 2013 before claiming Group 1s in the Sussex Stakes and the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.

Suggesting that Name The Wind could do better appears a little fanciful - he is available at odds between 33-1 and 66s - but the James Tate-trained colt is unbeaten in two starts and a wide-open Guineas, for which he is entered, will be given due consideration by owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum and his advisors.

Bred by Hungerford Park Stud in partnership with Al Shaqab, Name The Wind is out of the winning Dansili mare Trust The Wind and arrived after a victory on the same Polytrack in September. He came with a smooth run under PJ McDonald and responded well under necessary pressure to pip the well-touted Senza Limiti on the line.

Name The Wind has made two appearances at the sales, fetching 58,000gns from Amanda Skiffington at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2016 before going the way of Rabbah Bloodstock for 62,000gns at the following year's Book 1.

Toronado has made a solid start to his new vocation with 88 of his first crop known to have run across Australasia and Europe, with 39 winning. He awaits a stakes winner with Watan, for the Al Shaqab and Richard Hannon combination, flying highest with a second in the Acomb Stakes at York.

He too trialled for the Guineas in last week’s Craven Stakes but would appear a little short of the required level after finishing only sixth behind Skardu.

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