Costly Intello colt Ghadbbaan out to prove his worth at Kempton

It has been quite a wait to see whether it was money well spent on Ghadbbaan, who makes his racecourse debut as a three-year-old at Kempton on Tuesday.

At 425,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1 in 2017, the colt is the most expensive yearling by Intello to have been sold through the ring in Europe as he joined Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Shadwell operation.

While the initial buzz about Intello has not entirely been maintained, the stallion did make his Group 1 breakthrough in last year’s Prix Jean Prat with Intellogent and has posted some good results this year with the likes of Brigadier Gerard winner Regal Reality.

Like that filly, Ghadbbaan has been sent into training with Sir Michael Stoute and has a good Cheveley Park pedigree. He is the first foal of the Listed-placed Rock Choir, herself a Pivotal sister to Chorist, the Group 1 Pretty Polly winner and a decent producer already.

View racecard here

Just as notably Ghadbbaan’s younger half-brother, the Nathaniel-sired Sound Of Cannons and bought for just 32,000gns, made a winning debut only last Friday when taking the same Newmarket novice event in which his sire was beaten by a certain Frankel nine years ago.

He has some usefully-bred rivals in opposition in division two of the Matchbook Novice Stakes, most notably Lordship Stud’s Dubawi filly Loveheart.

The Harris family’s operation won the 2000 Oaks with her dam Love Divine, who has already delivered another Classic winner in the St Leger hero Sixties Icon, as well as other reasonable performers including Native Ruler and Hamelin.

The John Gosden-trained Magical Rhythms, a daughter of Pioneerof The Nile, sets the standard of those to have been seen already.

More news...

Monceaux mare marvel Prudenzia steals the show at Arqana August once again

Up-and-coming sires Shalaa and The Gurkha make a splash at Arqana