Tally-Ho sire Kessaar off the mark with impressive Newmarket winner Tajalla

Kessaar became the latest first-season sire to get off the mark when son Tajalla scored at the first time of asking at Newmarket on Thursday.

Starting at 11-8 favourite for the Roger Varian yard, in the colours of Sheikh Ahmed, the two-year-old out of Chester winner Armum powered to a two and three-quarter length score under Andrea Atzeni.

In the process he was introduced at around 16-1 for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Kessaar is standing this season at Tally-Ho Stud in County Westmeath for €5,000, and was suggested at 50-1 by colleague Kitty Trice as a value alternative to warm favourite Sioux Nation for the first-season sires' championship this year.

As a son of Kodiac - the star sire at the two-day Craven Breeze-Up Sale this week - Kessaar has the right credentials to do well in his second career.

Watch Tajalla get Kessaar off the mark

He was a high-class performer in his sole campaign, winning on his third start after a close second on his debut, and going on to win the Sirenia Stakes.

That was followed by his career highlight when pulling nearly three lengths clear in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes. He was fourth in the Criterium International as he bowed out at the end of his juvenile season.

The six-year-old has 77 first-crop juveniles to represent him over the coming months and Tajalla looks one who could well fly the flag with some distinction.

Bred by Michael Lyons and Michael McGlynn, the colt was signed for by Varian at 90,000gns at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale last autumn, on what was his second appearance in the ring.

Tally-Ho had purchased him for €55,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale the previous year, when offered through Collegelands Stud.

He is the first foal out of his dam, who is a half-sister to juvenile Group 2 winner Ardad.

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