Star strikes Gold as first winner for Havana

Havana Gold became the latest of this year's class of freshman sires to supply a first winner when son Havana Star got up late to win on his debut at Beverley on Monday.

The Kevin Ryan-trained colt broke slowly from the stalls as they opened but began to pick up as the race entered its final stages. It was Rockin Fella, a son of the late Society Rock, who looked to have the contest sewn up but as he hung left, Havana Star came through to win by a neck.

Havana Star was bred by Mubarak Al Naemi and is the first foal out of the winning Camacho mare Nagham. His further family includes Irish 1,000 Guineas third Storm Dream.

He was picked up by Ryan and bloodstock agent Stephen Hillen for €37,000 from the Goffs Sportsman's Yearling Sale.

A seven-year-old son of Teofilo, Havana Gold was trained by Richard Hannon to win five races including the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes as a juvenile. At three he went on to claim the Prix Jean Prat by a short-neck from San Marino Grey.

His yearlings entered the market last year with 56 selling for an average of 25,094gns with his most expensive being a colt out of Waveband who was bought by Ross Doyle on behalf of Al Shaqab Racing for 200,000gns.

Subsequently named Sallab, the colt is in training with Hannon.