Gleneagles Gets First Winner From First Starter

Gleneagles got his stud career off to the perfect start when Highland Chief—his first runner—made a winning debut in the West Berkshire Brewery Newcomers EBF Maiden Stakes at Newbury April 12.

The Paul Cole-trained colt raced comfortably midpack before launching his challenge approaching the final furlong. A duel ensued with Separate, a daughter of fellow first-season sire Cable Bay, but Highland Chief showed a willing attitude to lead late before scoring by a neck. He earned quotes of 33-1 for the Coventry Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot.

Highland Chief was bred by owner Fitri Hay and is the fourth foal out of Pink Symphony, a group 3-winning daughter of Montjeu.

Despite being by a noted influence for stamina, Pink Symphony ran three times at 2, with her best juvenile effort coming on her third start when she finished fourth to subsequent dual group 1 winner and dam of Minding, Lillie Langtry.

Highland Chief's pedigree should prove him to be a smart 2-year-old, as Pink Symphony is closely related to group 3-winning juvenile Fantasia. That pair are out of a daughter of champion 2-year-old Blue Duster, winner of the 1995 Cheveley Park Stakes (G1).

Gleneagles was a top-class 2-year-old himself. He won four times as a juvenile, including the Galileo E.B.F. Futurity Stakes (G2) and the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1). He rounded off his juvenile campaign with a first-past-the-post effort in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-Grand Criterium (G1), only to be demoted to third after it was deemed he caused interference.

Under the guidance of Aidan O'Brien, Gleneagles returned at 3 to land three more top-level events, completing the QIPCO and Tattersalls Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) double before claiming the St James's Palace Stakes (G1). He retired to Coolmore at a fee of €60,000 (US$67,610) in 2016.

Not only does Gleneagles boast an impressive race record, he also possesses one of the strongest pedigrees around. Not only is he by the great Galileo, he is the second foal out of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes (G2) winner You'resothrilling, a daughter of Storm Cat and full sister to Giant's Causeway who also produced group 1 winners Marvellous and Happily.

You'resothrilling is out of the increasingly influential Mariah's Storm, who also produced Pearling, the dam of three-time group 1 winner and Irish National Stud resident Decorated Knight.

Highland Chief is one of 109 foals from Gleneagles' debut crop. Fifty-three of his yearlings were sold across Europe last year.

If the early signs have been positive, there should be even better to come, including his two most expensive yearlings. Topping the list is the 500,000gns ($687,383) filly out of Tarbela, bought by Blandford Bloodstock at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and since named Precious Moments, and a colt out of Lady Eclair who topped the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale at £380,000 ($489,972).

Signed for by Sackville Donald on behalf of King Power Racing, the colt has been named Mahanakhon Power.

There are also, according to Weatherbys' data, at least seven Gleneagles 2-year-olds in training at Ballydoyle, including the as yet unnamed colt out of four-time group 1 winner Peeping Fawn.

For anyone who may have missed out on securing a yearling by Gleneagles at last year's auctions, Mocklershill will offer two colts by the sire at next week's Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale.

They are out of the group 3-winning Eastern Appeal (Lot 68) and Precious Dream (Lot 137), who were pinhooked for 150,000gns and 62,000gns, respectively.