Foal purchase Masekela wins the Denford Stakes!
14 August 2021
Masekela, a foal purchase by Blue Diamond Stud, continued his progression in fine style on Saturday when the determined winner of the Denford Stakes at Newbury.
The Listed race boasts a storied history under its traditional guise of the Washington Singer Stakes, having been previously won by the likes of Lammtarra, Rodrigo De Triano, Just The Judge and Belardo. Who knows, perhaps Masekela will also rise to such lofty levels.
“I spoke to Andrew beforehand and he said the main thing was to focus on keeping the horse in a good rhythm,” jockey William Buick told Racing TV. “We found ourselves in front, built it up gradually and when he got company, he battled on well. I thought he did well. He’s a nice horse and will be a lovely horse for next year.”
Owner Mick Mariscotti added: “Masekela has a couple of entries in the Champagne Stakes and the Royal Lodge and I need to talk to Andrew, but my view is that a mile is the right distance. William said he’s a nice horse and there would be more to come. He said he’d make a nice three-year-old, which we always felt as he’s a big horse.”
A second stakes winner out of the first crop of El Kabeir, Masekela made a winning debut at Goodwood back in May before running a narrow second to Native Trail in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.
Masekela was bred by Coolawn Stud out of the Group 3-winning Lady’s Purse, by Doyen. He was purchased by Blue Diamond Stud out of the Goffs November Foal Sale and resold to Andrew Balding through New England Stud at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Sale.
He carries the colours of Mick and Janice Mariscotti.
