Land Force a European First For No Nay Never

[Wandering Eyes]

2nd-CUR, €17,500, Mdn, 5-12, 2yo, 6fT, 1:21.18, hy.
LAND FORCE (IRE) (c, 2, No Nay Never–Theann {GB} {GSW-Eng & MGSP-Ire, $143,999}, by Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), who hit the board in his Apr. 13 debut going five furlongs at Naas last time, was slick from the gate and established control within a matter of strides upped one panel here. Dominating throughout, the 11-10 favourite was shaken up approaching the final eighth and kept on strongly under mild coaxing to easily account for Vocatus (Ire) (Vocalised) by 2 1/4 lengths, becoming the second winner–and first in Europe–for his freshman sire (by Scat Daddy). “He came forward lovely from his first run and we’re delighted with him,” said trainer Aidan O’Brien. “We were a bit worried about the heavy ground over six furlongs, but he came forward lovely and [jockey] Donnacha [O’Brien] was very happy with him. He’s a hardy horse and is going to take racing so he could come back here for the [May 26 Listed] Marble Hill [S.].” Land Force is the fourth scorer for G3 Summer S. victress Theann (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) and the €350,000 GOFORB yearling is thus kin to GI Rodeo Drive S. and GI First Lady S. heroine Photo Call (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and a yearling filly by Australia (GB). Theann is a daughter of MGSW G1 July Cup runner-up Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) and is herself a half-sister to MG1SW Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who in turn produced three stakes winners headed by MG1SW Irish highweight Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $14,837. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Mrs Evie Stockwell (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien.

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