Front-Running Shalaa Takes Middle Park

Al Shaqab Racing's Shalaa solidified his status as Britain's top juvenile sprinter this season in winning the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (Eng-I) Sept. 26 at Newmarket.

John Gosden trains the speedy son of Invincible Spirit, who made all the pace with Frankie Dettori but had to dig in for a half-length victory over Godolphin Racing's Coventry (Eng-II) victor Buratino, with fellow Godolphin runner Steady Pace two lengths back in third.

The triumph marked the fifth consecutive win from six starts for Shalaa and his fourth group victory.

Last of eight on debut in May at Newbury, Shalaa broke through two week later at Newmarket and followed with a pair of group II wins—the Arqana July Stakes at Newmarket and Qatar Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. Subsequently stepped up to the highest level, he captured the Prix Morny (Fr-I) Aug. 23 at Deauville and kept his momentum going in the Middle Park.

Shalaa, the 1-2 favorite, was timed in 1:11.92 for six furlongs on good turf.

Gimcrack (Eng-II) winner and paternal half brother Ajaya chased Shalaa from second for much of the race, but had no more to give when called on inside the final furlong and faded to fourth.

"He has so much speed and has that (sprinter's) build, so he reminds us all of Oasis Dream who probably broke the juvenile record here and was not only champion 2-year-old but also champion sprinter at 3," Gosden said of Shalaa. "He's of that mold. He looks like a pure fast 2-year-old and is not crying out for a mile."

Mogeely Stud bred Shalaa in Ireland from U.S. grade III-placed Ghurra (War Chant), who is a half sister to 1997 Middle Park winner Hayil (Dayjur).

A Book 1 presentation at the 2014 Tattersalls October yearling sale by Clairemont Stud's agency, Shalaa was bought by agent Charlie Gordon-Watson for 170,000 guineas (US$287,331). He was pinhooked as a weanling for 105,000 guineas ($170,289) at the 2013 Tattersalls December foal sale by Norris and Huntingdon when consigned by Castlefarm Stud, agent.