Half-brother to champion juvenile Vandeek to debut for Coolmore at Naas on Saturday

Our resident bloodstock experts profile the well-bred eyecatchers and expensive purchases set to grace the track.

Gstaad

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden (2.35 Naas, Saturday)

What's the story?

This six-furlong juvenile maiden at Naas has been won by some top-notchers recently, including subsequent Irish 2,000 Guineas and Phoenix Stakes winner Siskin, and it would be no surprise if a runner in this year's contest turned out to be a Group 1 performer. 

The Coolmore-Ballydoyle team field two intriguing runners, including Starspangledbanner colt Gstaad, a 450,000gns purchase from Tattersalls as a foal. 

How's he bred? 

Gstaad was bred by Kelly Thomas of Maywood Stud out of the placed Exceed And Excel mare Mosa Mine. That makes the colt a half-brother to unbeaten champion two-year-old Vandeek, winner of the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes for Simon and Ed Crisford and KHK Racing. Also a winner of the Group 2 Richmond Stakes, the Havana Grey colt placed twice from two starts at three, including in the July Cup. 

A 625,000gns Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale purchase by Anthony Stroud, the four-year-old is nearing the end of his first season at Cheveley Park Stud. 

Gstaad, the half-brother to Vandeek, selling as a foal at Tattersalls in 2023Credit: ©Tattersalls

Who does he face? 

HIs portentously named stablemate  Albert Einstein, as it happens. Coolmore's homebred Wootton Bassett colt is the first foal out of War Front mare Yet, a winner on debut at two who was also second in the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes. 

The six-year-old, a half-sister to fellow Group-placed Carracci, is out of the Pattern-placed winning Galileo mare Butterflies, a half-sister to top-class racehorse and sire Giant's Causeway and to blue hen You'resothrilling. You'resothrilling is the dam of top-level winners Gleneagles, Marvellous, Happily and Joan Of Arc, as well as the Group/Grade 1-placed Taj Mahal, Vatican City, Toy and Coolmore, all by Galileo.

Moyglare's once-raced Blue Point colt Evening Blues is a half-brother to three black-type winners or performers including Joailliere, the dam of Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Homeless Songs. He was a fine third at the Curragh last month.

Mehmas colt Dialin For Dollars is a half-brother to Group 2 Norfolk Stakes winner and Phoenix Stakes second The Lir Jet.

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