Mendelssohn off the mark as Shaqra'a Sultan wins on debut in Saudi Arabia

Ashford Stud's first-season sire sire Mendelssohn sired his first winner when his daughter Shaqra'a Sultan won on debut by nearly two lengths against colts at King Khalid Racecourse in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

The chestnut filly is a homebred of Prince Sultan Bin Mishall Bin Abdulaziz, who acquired her dam Juno after the mare sold for $270,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

Agent Chad Schumer signed the ticket for the mare, who was sold by Denali Stud.

Juno was a multiple Group 1 winner in Brazil at three. She was acquired in 2016 by Team Valor and raced with trainers Richard Mandella and Neil Drysdale. In the United States, she placed in three Graded stakes before retiring with five wins from 16 starts and $159,797 in earnings.

She was sold at Keeneland in foal to Mendelssohn.

Shaqra'a Sultan raced in a six furlong maiden race for two-year-olds open to colts and fillies. Three colts were among the field of ten.

Mendelssohn is a seven-year-old son of Scat Daddy who won the 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and later the UAE Derby for Aidan O'Brien. He also was second in the Travers Stakes.

He stood this year at Ashford for $35,000.

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