Listed winner Masekela puts El Kabeir's name in lights at Newbury

Masekela confirmed himself to be at the forefront of El Kabeir's first crop with his encouraging victory in the Denford Stakes at Newbury.

The Listed success was the second at stakes level sired by the Yeomanstown Stud resident to date, following Don Chicco landing a race at the same grade in Italy at the end of June.

A Graded winner in the US, El Kabeir was somewhat an unknown when recruited to stand in Ireland at the end of his time with Bill Mott, although breeders very much recognised the name of his father, the late Scat Daddy.

El Kabeir is already the sire of nine winners around Europe and Andrew Balding's Masekela is the highest on ratings, having won on debut at Goodwood, placed fifth behind Point Lonsdale in the Chesham and been beaten only a short head by Native Trail in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.

View result and watch replay here

In winning a race landed in the past by the likes of Belardo, Just The Judge, Rodrigo de Triano and Lammtarra over the years, he too may well go on to better things as head runner-up and fellow 6-4 joint-favourite Bayside Boy also arrived with a big reputation.

Mick Mariscotti, who owns Masekela with his wife Janice and bought the colt for 30,000gns through his trainer last year, said: "It was at Tattersalls Book 2, which we couldn't attend as we normally would, but we were following it online.

"He [El Kabeir] is a new sire, which can be a bit of a risk but he is from that Scat Daddy line. We very much trust Andrew and [mother] Emma, they were keen on the horse so we were happy too."

Masekela is out of the French Group 3-winning Doyen mare Lady's Purse, who was bought for 22,000gns by his breeders Coolawn Stud in 2017. Her two other runners have also been winners, headed by Group 2 Cape Verdi runner-up Asoof.

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