Redoute's Choice colt wins debut in England
Champion sire Redoute’s Choice posted his second winner from three 2YO runners in England this year when Sheikh Hamdan‘s homebred colt Tazahum (USA) won his debut over 7 furlongs at Kempton Park on Thursday (early Friday morning Australian time). His margin was an impressive two-and-a-quarter lengths.
Redoute’s Choice is pictured, right, being led by Adam Shankley at Arrowfield’s Stallion Parade in May 2010.
Tazahum jumped nicely for jockey Richard Mullen who settled him midfield before switching him to the rail over two furlongs out, and driving him to the lead a furlong later. The colt then quickened up to come clear inside the final furlong and win comfortably. A good-looking, athletic colt with scope, Tazahum was described by one commentator as a lot more superior to his opposition than he showed in this race.
A member of Redoute’s Choice’s 2008 crop conceived in Australia to northern time, Tazahum is from the Alzao mare Huja, who was a 2YO winner, Group 3-placed and 4th in Soviet Song’s Ascot Fillies Mile G1. She is a sister to the multiple Group winner Maraahel, from the family of Group winners Sahool, Haatef, Sayedah and Asfurah. Tazahum is trained by Sir Michael Stoute.
Redoute’s Choice’s first winner in England was Sheikh Hamdan’s NT-conceived, Australian-born Elzaam (ex Mambo in Freeport by Kingmambo) who also won on debut, at York in May, and stepped up to run the closest of seconds to Strong Suit in the Royal Ascot Coventry S. G2 in June, and 3rd to Libranno and Neebras in the Newmarket July S. G2 in July.
It’s also been an excellent week in Australia for Redoute’s Choice, who won the 2009/10 Champion Sire award at last Sunday’s Racehorse of the Year awards in Melbourne. He has had six winners in the past eight days, including five highly progressive 3YOs, Best Choice, Maraaseem, Mukarrar, Light Brigade, and this morning’s winner at Geelong, the filly Margiela (NZ), as well as the talented Altius, stakes-placed at Flemington.
Redoute’s Choice stands the 2010 season at Arrowfield at a fee of $176,000 (inc. GST).
