Filly Happy as a Queen Iqbaal's First Winner
Description:
Florida-based stallion Iqbaal saw his first winner July 9, when juvenile filly Happy as a Queen won the fifth race at Gulfstream Park .
A grade III-placed son of Medaglia d'Oro , 9-year-old Iqbaal stands for a private fee at Wesley Ward's Ward Ranch in Ocala, Fla. Campaigned by Shadwell Stable, Iqbaal won his first two career starts, and in his final effort, finished third in the 2009 Pegasus Stakes (gr. III) at Meadowlands.
After his short racing career, Ward purchased Iqbaal for $70,000 at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale from Shadwell Farm, agent. Shadwell initially landed Iqbaal, who was bred in Kentucky by Dell Ridge Farm, for $675,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September yearling sale.
Happy as a Queen, owned, bred, and trained by Ward, led every step of Thursday's 4 1/2-furlong maiden claiming race, drawing off in the stretch to a four-length score under Edgar Prado. Happy as a Queen is one of five foals of racing age in Iqbaal's first crop.