Leading
European first crop sire No
Nay Never's first-crop continue to
excite with the Aidan
O'Brien trained colt Ten Sovereigns bolting away to win
the Group
III Round Tower Stake at the Curragh on Saturday.
A seven-length maiden winner at the same course on his debut, the colt looked a
top-class prospect when powering clear in this six-furlong event to win by
three and three-quarter lengths. He is now 7/1 favourite for next year's G1
2,000 Guineas with bookmaker Ladbrokes.
"You'd have to be very happy," Aidan O'Brien commented. "He seemed to do
everything right and he has a good, big, open stride. At least now going to the
G1 Middle Park, he's had two runs and he should have enough experience. We'll
look forward to that now.
"He would have learned more today as he followed horses so that was great and
Donnacha was very happy with him. He travels very strong and has a lot of speed
and you'd be delighted to see the last furlong. He got there and opened up
then.
"He's definitely fast but he's relaxed and he's very clear winded so you'd say
looking at him today he shouldn't have any problem with seven furlongs. He has
a lovely mind, even into the stalls, and everything is very easy. He does the
same in the race, he's very easy through the race."
Asked about the Guineas distance, O'Brien added: "We'll see about a mile, but
often if they are good enough they'll get a mile okay. He should have every
chance of getting it."
Jockey Donnacha O'Brien echoed his father's thoughts on the colt, who he also
feels is a hugely-exciting prospect.
"He looks very smart and feels like the real deal," said the jockey. "We'll
find out when he steps up to Group 1 company, but he couldn't be doing any
better. He pings the gates and went past Seamus's filly (Fantasy) like she was
stopping.
"He has a fantastic brain and does everything right - he lobs down to the start
and stands like a lamb in the stalls."
Ten Sovereigns is the fourth stakes-winner for No Nay Never and was bought for
200,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by Charlie Gordon-Watson
Bloodstock.
Interestingly for Australian breeders he is the best of two winners from
stakes-placed Seeking Solace, a daughter of champion Australian sire Exceed and
Excel.
By the late great Scat Daddy, No Nay Never will have his first Australian
yearlings at sales in 2019 and is back in Australia this spring for Coolmore at
a fee of $19,250.