BDS graduate Masekela runs fourth in the Derby
5 June 2022
Masekela pictured as a yearling. Photo – Melanie Sauer
In what turned out to be a memorable Epsom Classic meeting for Blue Diamond graduates, stud pinhook Masekela ran an excellent race in Saturday’s Derby to finish fourth for owners Mick and Janice Mariscotti and trainer Andrew Balding.
As such, the colt became the second member of the Blue Diamond 2020 yearling crop to fill the frame in an Epsom Classic after homebred Nashwa, a brave third in the Oaks.
Partnered by Andrea Atzeni, Masekela was given a patient ride and made good headway from the rear of the field to close into fourth.
The son of El Kabeir has sat among the best of his generation since making a winning debut at Goodwood last May. Indeed, he ran Native Trail to a head in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket before inflicting a defeat upon Bayside Boy in the Listed Washington Singer Stakes at Newbury. He had last been seen running second to Eydon in the Listed Feilden Stakes.
Masekela was bred by Coolawn Stud out of Lady’s Purse, a Group 3-winning daughter of Doyen. He was purchased by Blue Diamond Stud for €35,000 as a Goffs November foal and resold to Andrew Balding on behalf of the Mariscottis as a Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling.
