Sandown maidens full of top-class relations

Racegoers heading to Sandown on Friday will be treated to not one, but two, top-class maidens - both loaded with regally bred runners and those that caught the eye in the sales ring.

Emaraaty, the joint-most expensive yearling sold at public auction in Europe last year, is among 16 juveniles declared for the first division of the 7f British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (2.45) - a race won in previous years by future Pattern winners Time Test (2014) and Stormy Atlantic (2015).

Emaraaty caught the eye of Angus Gold of Shadwell at Book 1 at Tattersalls last October, when he stretched to 2.6 million guineas to secure the Dubawi half-brother to dual Group 1 winner Izzi Top and Group 2 scorer Jazzi Top.

Jazzi Top also went close to emulating the trio's dam, the Zafonic mare Zee Zee Top, by finishing second in the 1m2f Prix de l'Opera.

They hail from Meon Valley's prolific Reprocolor family, while the combination of Dubawi over Zafonic mares has already thrown up Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes winner Muraaqaba.

Emaraaty shared top billing at Tattersalls with Glorious Journey, another colt by Dubawi out of Coronation Stakes heroine Fallen For You. Glorious Journey won on his Newmarket debut for Charlie Appleby and holds numerous Group 1 entries including the National Stakes on Saturday week.

Clearly thought a lot of by John Gosden, Emaraaty holds early entries to the Royal Lodge and Dewhurst Stakes, as well as next year's Investec Derby.

Among the other interesting debutants are Sam Gold - an Iffraaj half-brother to this year's Fred Darling Stakes winner Dabyah - who was picked up by his trainer Roger Varian for 120,000gns at Book 2 at Tattersalls last October, and the twice-raced Dark Spec, a Dark Angel son of 1,000 Guineas heroine Speciosa who was a close second on his most recent start at Leicester.

Dark Spec's trainer Pam Sly is no stranger to his family, having also trained his Classic-winning dam.

A familiar sight

Just over half an hour later, another battalion of eye-catching newcomers line up, ready to make their mark in the second division of the maiden (3.20).

Among the 15 juveniles is Graffiti Master, a Dubawi colt out of the 2001 Sun Chariot Stakes scorer and Selkirk mare Independence, making him a half-brother to Coral-Eclipse hero Mount Nelson and Group 2 winner Monitor Closely.

The cross of Dubawi over Selkirk mares has produced three winners from three runners to date, including this year's Group 3 Tercentenary Stakes scorer Benbatl.

Graffiti Master will carry the famous maroon and white silks that Sheikh Mohammed has since passed on to his daughter, Sheikha Al Jalila.

Bred by Cliveden Stud, Graffiti Master was a 575,000gns Book 1 purchase by John Ferguson at Tattersalls last October, and like Emaraaty, is trained by Gosden.

Last week's Gimcrack winner Sands Of Mali was a notable pinhook from Osarus for Con Marnane. He also pinhooked the once-raced Choisir colt Exprompt in this contest, who he picked up from Osarus for €34,000 last September, before selling him on for 210,000gns at this year's Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale.

Breath Caught also catches the eye, as he is a Bated Breath half-brother to prolific Group 1 winner Twice Over.

Intello, Lethal Force and Society Rock are first-season sires represented in either race, but as can be garnered from above, their runners face a stiff ask on debut.

View Friday's racing

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