Purple patch as OJ Lifestyle and Rikona break their maidens
12 August 2022
OJ Lifestyle: won a smart novice at Newbury. Photo – deBurgh Productions
Blue Diamond Stud was back among the winners on Friday as OJ Lifestyle, bred by the stud out of Vetlana, landed a 125/1 shock in the 7f novice at Newbury. The colt was the second winner for the stud in as many days after Rikona, who had dead-heated for first place in a maiden at Ffos Las the previous evening.
On Friday, OJ Lifestyle stepped up massively on his debut run for Gary Moore to travel well in the hands of Tom Queally before throwing down a strong challenge to the odds-on favourite Leadman. Galvanised by Queally, he stuck a head in front of the leader and although his rival fought back, he was able to maintain and advantage to win by a nose. The pair pulled five lengths clear of the third.
OJ Lifestyle becomes the second winner out of Vetlana, a half-sister to Listed winner Sameeem from the family of Classic heroine Menhoubah.
Vetlana is in foal to Golden Horn.
Rikona, meanwhile, was bred by the stud out of Paradise Sea, a Stormy Atlantic half-sister to Champion Stakes winner David Junior. She was winning for the first time in five starts but on her stable debut for Kevin Philippart de Foy.
