Kodiac’s Hello Youmzain Prevails in the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte

[Wandering Eyes]

   Jaber Abdullah’s homebred Hello Youmzain (Fr) (Kodiac {GB}) impressed when claiming a four-length maiden score in his Aug. 22 debut before posting a short-head second at Haydock last time Sept. 6 and took a giant stride forward to dominate the latter stages of Saturday’s G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte for a career high. The bay stalked the pace trapped wide in third after an alert break from the outside gate in this third straight try at the six-furlong trip. Looming large soon after passing halfway, the 32-5 chance went to the front at the two pole and kept on strongly under a late drive once claiming the stands’ side rail entering the final eighth to assert by 2 1/2 lengths from fellow British raider Queen of Bermuda (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). Graignes (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) was the lone domestic contender in the eight-runner field and ran on well in the closing stages to finish a half-length adrift in third. “We came over here in search of softer ground and that’s exactly what we got,” said winning rider Kevin Stott. “Of course, it was a big step up from his latest run at Haydock to a Group 2 race, but he’s a big, strong colt with plenty of quality and it helps that there seems to be fewer runners to face in these French Group races. He’s still a green, and a bit babyish, and he lacks experience which explains the drift to the rail in the closing stages. I really look forward to riding him next year as I think he is very good.”
   Hello Youmzain is the fourth foal, winner and stakes performer out of the unraced Spasha (GB) (Shamardal) and he is a half-brother to MGSW G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin third Royal Youmzain (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}), Listed Lansdown Fillies’ S. victress Zuhoor Baynoona (Ire) (Elnadim), Listed Prix Maurice Caillault third Saglawy (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}) and a colt foal by Dragon Pulse (Ire). Spasha is a half to stakes-winning G2 Hardwicke S. third Persian Majesty (Ire) (Grand Lodge) and a granddaughter of G3 Lancashire Oaks heroine Sandy Island (GB) (Mill Reef), who in turn is kin to G1 Epsom Derby-winning sire Slip Anchor (GB) (Shirley Heights {GB}) and the dam of G2 Hardwicke S. scorer Sandmason (GB) (Grand Lodge).

Saturday, Maisons-Laffitte, France
CRITERIUM DE MAISONS-LAFFITTE-G2, €190,000, Maisons-Laffitte, 10-13, 2yo, 6fT, 1:10.06, sf.
1–HELLO YOUMZAIN (FR), 128, c, 2, by Kodiac (GB)
1st Dam: Spasha (GB), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Spa (GB), by Sadler’s Wells
3rd Dam: Sandy Island (GB), by Mill Reef
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Jaber Abdullah; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (FR); T-Kevin Ryan; J-Kevin Stott. €108,300. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €115,210. *1/2 to Royal Youmzain (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}), Hwt. 2yo Colt-Ity, MGSW & MG1SP-Ger, GSW-Ity, $361,159; Zuhoor Baynoona (Ire) (Elnadim), SW-Eng; and Saglawy (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}), SP-Fr, $100,633. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Queen of Bermuda (Ire), 125, f, 2, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–Imperialistic Diva (Ire), by Haafhd (GB). (17,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT; 230,000gns 2yo ’18 TATBRE). O-Bermuda Thoroughbred Racing Ltd; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-William Haggas. €41,800.
3–Graignes (Fr), 128, c, 2, Zoffany (Ire)–Grey Anatomy (GB), by Slickly (Fr). (€40,000 Ylg ’17 AROCT; €90,000 2yo ’18 ARQMAY). O-Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Ecurie Euroling (FR); T-Yann Barberot. €19,950.
Margins: 2HF, HF, NK. Odds: 6.40, 3.90, 6.30.
Also Ran: Legends of War, Sporting Chance (GB), Little Kim (GB), Amplify (Ire), Junius Brutus (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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