Australian Bloodstock has built a reputation of getting it right more often than not and with the purchase of Mustajeer, the winner of Saturday's £1million Sky Bet Ebor at York, it certainly looks like they have hit the mark again.
Another Australian Bloodstock purchase Raheen House (Sea The Stars) started a heavily backed favourite in the Ebor and he did well in finishing ninth after being caught on what looked to be the wrong side of the track in the straight.
Trained in Ireland by Ger Lyons and ridden by champion Irish jockey Colin Keane, Mustajeer hit the front over two furlongs out in the Ebor and was strong to the line in defeating Red Galileo, despite his name he is a son of Dubawi, by three-quarter of a length with Desert Skyline (Tamayuz) a half-length further back in third. (image Sporting Life )
Fourth in the race last year won by Muntahaa, the 6yo gelding was winning for the first time in five starts in 2019 although he has been placed twice including a distant third in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh won by the top-class Magical (Galileo).
Purchased before the Ebor by Australian Bloodstock, Mustajeer raced in the colours of David Spratt who will retain an interest as the son of Medicean will now head to the Newcastle stable of Kris Lees to be prepared for the Caulfield – Melbourne Cup double.
"He'll be prepped for quarantine and will probably leave for Australia in September. He's going to come back with us now and go out into the field to enjoy himself," Ger Lyons daughter Kerri told the Racing Post.
"That will be a dream come true and he'll do well for the new owners (Australian Bloodstock)."
Australian Bloodstock director Luke Murrell said on the Australian Bloodstock's website.
"We have bought him as we feel he is a genuine top 5 and winning chance for the Cups. Those Irish horses are the best stayers in the world and I have loved some of the things he has done this year.
"Those Irish horses are the best stayers in the world and I have loved some of the things he has done this year." – Luke Murrell
"It's been hidden in his data but it certainly says he is in career-best form. With the Caulfield Cup only 8-9 weeks away if he drew well I think he is a horse they all have to beat in a race like that. Melbourne Cup-wise, he relaxes and if he could use his big turn of foot then he has to be a top 4-5 hope."
Bred by Shadwell Stud, Mustajeer was previously purchased for £50,000 as a tried horse at Tattersalls in 2017.
A half-brother to the stakes-placed Makruma (Dubawi), Mustajeer is out of the Dynaformer mare Qelaan whose dam Irtahal (Swain) was third in the Group III Musidora Stakes.
Irtahal's dam Elhasna is a sister to the champion sprinter Dayjur and a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Maplejinsky who is the dam of the champion Sky Beauty.
Mustajeer's sire Medicean (Machiavellian) was a wonderfully versatile stallion for Cheveley Park Stud before he was pensioned in 2017.
His son Dutch Art has taken over the mantle and he is the sire of Slade Power who is also making his mark at stud.
Medicean has enjoyed success in Australia as the sire of the Queensland Cup winner Araldo Junior (GER) and Ipswich Cup winner Maurus (GB).
