66/1 Star lands shock for First Season Pride Of Dubai

One of the most fascinating aspects of every flat season are the first season sires. Saturday saw a Group 3 winner for Pride Of Dubai, a multiple Group 1 winner in Australia who stands at Coolmore. Star Of Emaraaty sprung the shock for the Ontoawinner syndicate who continue a smart season for syndicates following Group winners for Nick Bradley Racing.

We’re not quite halfway through the turf season yet but it looks the ideal time to take a look at how the first crop sires are doing so far in 2020.

The Success stories

• Mehmas – Very forward himself, he only ever raced as a two-year-old. No surprise then that he tops the current winners and prize money tables with his own offspring. He looks one to follow for years to come for precocious talent.
• New Bay – The 2015 French Derby winner, he has been the surprise so far. He was seen just once as a juvenile himself, in a November race on the Polytrack at Chantilly. He didn’t hit his stride until three so to have seven individual winners from eleven different horses this early is hugely eyecatching.

Disappointing so far but don’t dismiss

• Awtaad – Irish 2000 Guineas winner in 2016, just two of his nineteen offspring to hit the track so far have got their head in front for an overall record of 2/32. His first crop were well received at the sales and he himself didn’t make his debut until the October of his juvenile season. More was expected but the autumn will tell us more.
• Vadamoss – Given that he failed to win at two and didn’t produce his best RPR until his five-year-old season, it’s no surprise to see him off to a slow start. None of his first ten runners have got their head in front but it’s too soon to be writing them off.

Read more:

• Jockeys for courses! Key stats and trends for Sunday’s racing