The Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old Mogul (GB) drew first blood for the internationals with a dominant performance in the Group 1 The Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin.
Ryan Moore gave the well-travelled son of Galileo (IRE) plenty of time to find his feet in the early stages as the odds-on favourite Exultant (IRE) tended to over-race in the lead.
Coming to the home turn, Zac Purton asked Exultant (IRE) for the supreme effort rounding the home turn. By then Mogul (GB) had moved smoothly into contention. He breezed past Exultant (IRE) to win with the minimum of urging by three lengths.
Hong Kong’s reigning Horse Of The Year Exultant (Teofilo) completed the set of placings in the Vase, after winning in 2018 and finishing third last year. He was a neck in front of the third-placed Columbus County (Redwood).
“He won that very comfortably,” Moore said
“He just lacks a bit of maturity. He was just waiting when he got to the front, he had a good look around and was taking it all in.
“He is a beautiful looking horse. He reminds me a bit of Dylan Thomas who I never rode, but he is a similar type of horse, lots of ability with a good mind.”
After winning the Group III Gordon Stakes at Goodwood in August, Mogul (GB) then finished third in the Voltigeur Stakes at York. It earned him a trip to France where he captured the Group 1 Gran Prix de Paris at Longchamp.
It was then off to the United States where he finished midfield in the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland.
A 3,400,000 guineas purchase by MV Magnier out of the Newsells Park Stud draft at the 2018 October Yearling Sale Book, Mogul advances his record to five wins a second and a third from 11 starts.
Big prices are nothing new for Mogul’s dam Shastye. The daughter of Danehill has kept the tills ticking over through Mogul’s brothers Japan, a dual Group 1 winner, the ill-fated Group III winner Sir Isaac Newton, and sister Group II Middleton Stakes winner and multiple Group 1-placed Secret Gesture, and half-brother to Listed winner Maurus (Medicean).
With five stakes-winners to her credit Shastye has certainly repaid her purchase price 625,000gns at the 2005 Tattersalls December Sales with interest.
