Hillstar's Frankel half-brother set to make debut at Newbury

The clutch of well-bred horses making their debuts continues at Newbury on Saturday when Crystal King, a Frankel half-brother to Grade 1 scorer Hillstar, contests the 1m3f maiden at Newbury.

A homebred for Sir Evelyn De Rothschild, Crystal King is the eighth foal out of the Mark Of Esteem mare Crystal Star which also makes him a half-brother to Crystal Capella, Crystal Ocean and Crystal Zvezda.

The three-year-old will face a strong test as 19 rivals are entered to contest the maiden including his Sir Michael Stoute-trained stablemate, Shareef Star.

By Sea The Stars, Shareef Star was a 700,000gns by Charlie Gordon-Watson at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2016. He holds entries in the Dante Stakes and Derby and is an interesting prospect on debut.

Racing

Newbury (First race, 1.25)

Bangor-On-Dee (1.35)

Ayr (1.45)

Limerick (1.50)

Thirsk (1.55)

Nottingham card (4.35)

Wolverhampton (6.00)

First-season sires with runners

Burwaaz Lady Lavinia, Thirsk 1.55

Heeraat Majestic Appeal, Nottingham 5.10

Plus 10 races

Limerick 1.50, 2.25

Newbury 1.25, 4.20, 4.55

ANZ Bloodstock News

All the news from the New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale and Steve Moran speaks to Simon Vivian ahead of the Inglis Vobis Sale. Read today's issue here

What to read

"Michael O’Leary's choice of the word ‘rat’ to describe the horse is very much misplaced"

Tiger Roll breeder bursting with pride despite aiming for Flat success

"Lah Ti Dar has a stellar pedigree - she is by Darley's flagship sire Dubawi out of the Lloyd-Webber's three-time top-level performer Dar Re Mi"

Oaks entry Lah Ti Dar makes big impression with debut victory

Final thought

Bloodstock aficionados will love this time of year as well-bred individuals head to the racetrack in search of getting their career off to the perfect star. In recent days we've had Zarkamiya and Lah Ti Dar shed their maidens and Crystal King bids to follow in their footsteps at Newbury.