Frankel colt The Grand Visir brave in victory at Newmarket
28 July 2017
Imad Al Sagar and The Grand Visir
The Grand Visir took another step up the ladder on Friday evening when the brave winner of the 1m4f three-year-old handicap at Newmarket.
The imposing Frankel colt was forced to cut out the running under Pat Cosgrave and answered every call to firstly fend off the favourite Pouvoir Magique and then the late challenge of Petitioner.
It was the second win in four starts for The Grand Visir, trained by William Haggas, following his debut victory at Yarmouth in May.
The colt was an unlucky fourth at Newbury last month and appeals as the type to continue to progress with racing. Indeed, he still holds an entry in the St. Leger.
The Grand Visir was purchased by Tony Nerses as a yearling from the draft of his co-breeder Ecurie des Monceaux at the 2014 Arqana August Sale and is the second winner out of the Montjeu mare Piping.
She hails from a powerful Jean-Luc Lagardere dynasty as a daughter of Italian champion Saganeca, in turn also dam of Arc hero Sagamix, Group 1-winning two-year-old Sagacity, Group 2 winner Sage Et Jolie (dam of Group 1 winner Sageburg) and the Listed-placed Shastye (dam of the Group 1-placed Secret Gesture and Group 3 winner Sir Isaac Newton).
His victory at Newmarket capped a great day for all at Blue Diamond Stud following the earlier success of homebred Jousi at Ascot.
