Haffner stays on to win the Rossdales British EBF Maiden Stakes at Newmarket
Haffner looks like an exciting horse for owners Peter Brant, the Coolmore partners, Westerberg and B Smith after a post-to-post victory in the Rossdales British EBF Maiden Stakes on July Cup day at Newmarket last Saturday on just his second racecourse appearance.
A 2-year-old bay colt by the American Triple Crown winner and Classic sire Justify, Haffner started as 5-4 favourite for trainer Aidan O’Brien and was sent straight to the front by jockey Ryan Moore. Leading throughout the race, he won comfortably, with Godophin’s Al Wathba a length and a half behind him.
Our race was the first on the card and with the trainer still on his way to the course, Paul Smith, son of Coolmore partner Derrick Smith, stepped in. He said of the winner: “He was very smooth, Ryan was very happy with him. He enjoyed the step up to seven (furlongs) and enjoyed the ground and looks like a stakes horse going forward. Aidan was happy to send him across – he’s very laid back and travels well, so we knew that wouldn’t be a problem and he took it all in his stride.”
Haffner and Ryan Moore pass the winning post one and a half lengths clear of Al Wathba
Rossdales Clinical Director Andrew McGladdery presented the prizes to winning connections and was accompanied by his wife Katrina, who awarded the Best Turned Out prize to the groom of Subscription, who is trained by Andrew Balding for Juddmonte and finished 4th in the race.
Ryan Moore and Haffner enter the winner’s enclosure at Newmarket
Images courtesy of Newmarket Racecourse