Thursday's Newmarket card featured as fast a 2-year-old as has been seen so far in 2022 as Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Tajalla (Ire) ripped up the Rowley Mile to earn TDN Rising Star status on debut and provide Tally-Ho Stud's first-season sire Kessaar (Ire) with his first winner. Well-regarded by Roger Varian, the April-foaled relative of Ardad (Ire) tracked the leaders throughout the early stages of the five-furlong bet365 British EBF Novice S. and when pointed forward by Andrea Atzeni took control approaching the furlong pole. Stretching away up the rising ground, the 11-8 favourite scored by 2 3/4 lengths from Fragrance (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), with 1 3/4 lengths further back to Cheeky Maxi (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) in third.
Varian had made no secret of his faith in Tajalla, whose closing fractions were as rapid as it gets at this time of year. “That was pleasing, but he has always looked a natural,” he said. “We don't have too many out in April, but that horse has been very forward for a little while. He was green in the paddock and green in the race, but when he hit the rising ground I thought he quickened up really smartly. He looked sharp today and you would have to hope is an above-average early season two-year-old. I don't think he needs to go beyond five, so we will stick at that for the time being. He will improve for the run and he is an exciting juvenile. We will keep our options open, but hopefully he is the type that gets us to Royal Ascot.”
Kessaar took three starts to get off the mark, although he did have to navigate the deep waters of the Royal meeting's Listed Windsor Castle S. on his second. This auspicious start to his stud career came courtesy of a first foal out of Armum (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}), a half to the aforementioned Ardad (Ire). That G2 Flying Childers S. and Windsor Castle-winning son of Kodiac (GB) proved a notable sire in his own right last term, with his first crop featuring Perfect Power (Ire). Tajalla, a 90,000gns purchase at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, is also related to the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp and G2 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S. winner Maarek (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and the G2 Gimcrack S. third Mystery Smiles (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). Armum's second foal is a yearling filly by Ardad's sire.
2nd-Newmarket, £10,000, Novice, 4-14, 2yo, 5fT, :59.96, gd.
TAJALLA (IRE), c, 2, by Kessaar (Ire)
1st Dam: Armum (Ire), by Society Rock (Ire)
2nd Dam: Good Clodora (Ire), by Red Clubs (Ire)
3rd Dam: Geht Schnell (GB), by Fairy King
(€55,000 Wlg '20 GOFNOV; 90,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $7,083. O-Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum; B-Michael Lyons & Michael McGlynn (IRE); T-Roger Varian. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
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