Maiden victory for special colt

AUGUST 19, 2010: The supremely-bred Al Aseel will now have a special place in the history of Emirates Park after breaking through for his maiden victory at Hawkesbury on Thursday, August 19, 2010. The home-bred bay-brown colt became the very first winner for Shamekha as a broodmare when recording an impressive three-and-a-half lengths win over 1300 metres.

Sent to post a short-priced favourite for his first start as a 3-year-old and only the third outing of his career, Al Aseel made little work of landing the event and impressed many a fine judge with the ease of his victory. The manner of his performance was a strong pointer towards greater success in much stronger grade and it is worth noting that the exciting prospect holds a nomination for the 2010 Caulfield Guineas.

Al Aseel was conceived in Kentucky but born and raised at Emirates Park’s headquarters in Murrurundi. He is a son of Forestry, a celebrated stallion by Storm Cat standing on the Taylor Made roster in the United States. During his own racing career, Forestry won the King’s Bishop Stakes (G1) over 7 furlongs and also placed third in the Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1) over 9 furlongs. He stood the recent northern hemisphere breeding season at a fee of US$17,500

First and foremost, however, Al Aseel is a son of Shamekha, the finest racemare to carry His Excellency Nasser Lootah’s blue, red and white livery. The exceptional daughter of Secret Savings (USA) won no fewer than eight races and $1.87 million in prizemoney, including three of the biggest Group 1 events on the Australian racing caldendar — AJC TJ Smith Stakes (G1), AJC All Aged Stakes (G1) and STC Coolmore Classic (G1).