The colours of prominent Hong Kong owner Bon Ho were carried to victory at The Curragh overnight by Bright Legend, a promising three year-old colt by Zoustar.
Having just his second race start, the Fozzy Stack trained colt was stepping up to a mile and a quarter and produced a tenacious effort to win, despite racing greenly over the concluding stages.
He veered out sharply, but regrouped for the final furlong to snatch a well-deserved neck win.
Zoustar is not known for producing many winners beyond 1600m, but Bright Legend has untapped stamina on his dam’s side.
Bought for 140,000 euros from the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale by Avenue Bloodstock, he is a half-brother to Group III winner Alexios Komnenos and is the second winner from Alexiade, a winner at 2500m by Montjeu from Group I winner Aptostar.
The family bristles with staying stakes-winners including Group I Irish St Leger winner Royal Diamond and Group winners such as Profound Beauty and Princess Highway with last year’s Group I Irish 1000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs also in the pedigree.
With his oldest Northern Hemisphere bred progeny just turned three, Zoustar has already had 10 NH bred winners this year in Europe, the USA and Japan adding to his growing reputation as a global sire.
