14.12.2022

MADJANI STAKES: KERLESS DEL ROC DOESN’T HAVE TO FORCE HIS TALENT

MEYDAN (UAE), NOVEMBER 25^th, 2022

Gr2 PA - 4 year-olds and up - 1,900m (9.5f) - €25,191

Beaten a head by First Classs (Dahess) in last year’s Kahayla Classic (Gr1 PA), the French-bred Kerless del Roc (Dahess) didn’t have to force his talent to win the Madjani Stakes (Gr2 PA). After making a beeline for the lead, the Marie-Christine Restes-bred runner was in control throughout. Yet Deryan (Mahabb), having his first run for trainer Majed Al Jahoori, seemed to be cantering at the entrance of the straight. However, whereas Kerless del Roc found another gear, Deryan ended up by losing second place to the running-on Barakka (AF Al Buraq). Kerless del Roc had the advantage of a previous run under his belt this season, having finished sixth in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown prep. More comfortable racing on dirt, the Al Ajban Stables’ charge should follow a pathway that will logically lead to another crack at the Kahayla Classic. On dismounting, Fernando Jara, riding for trainer Ahmed Al Mehairbi said:  "That was always the plan with him: to try and get a good position. Horses like this make your job easy. He’s not a horse who runs well on his first two races, as he improves during the season. Even today, he wasn’t 100 per cent, and this should tighten him up for the rest of the season. I think he will progress again ahead of the big races later in the season."

The brother of a Listed winner in Morocco

Kerless del Roc was bred in France by Marie-Christine Restes. He’s a son of the stallion Dahess (Amer), who stands at the Haras de Thouars on behalf of Al Shaqab Racing. The dam, Kerlia des Pins (Kerbella), was unraced. However, she has produced Kerssi del Roc (Kasih), the winner of the Prix Al Karaouiyene (L PA, 1,850m), at El Jadida. The grandam, Selia Lotoise (Tidjani), performed well in endurance racing after running on the flat, and she went on to foal the stallion Sahess Lotois (Dahess), who was placed in endurance class CEI3* 160 kms.

MEYDAN (UAE), 25^th NOVEMBER

THE MADJANI STAKES

Gr2 PA - 4-year-olds and up - 1,900m - AED 97,500

1^st           KERLESS DEL ROC (H5)

                (Dahess & Kerlia des Pins, by Kerbella)

                Owner: Al Ajban Stables

Breeder: M.-C. Restes

                Trainer: A. Al Mehairbi

Jockey: F. Jara

2^nd          BARAKKA (C4)

                (Af Al Buraq & Laqataat, by Bengali d'Albret)

Owner: Sultan Ali

Breeder: Shadwell

Trainer: A. Bin Harmash

Jockey: R. Dawson

3^rd          DERYAN (H7)

                (Af Albahar & Moubaraka, by Djouras Tu)

                Owner: Sarl Yas Horse Racing Mgmt LLC

Breeder: H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

                Trainer: M. Al Jahoori

Jockey: P. Dobbs

All ran (15)

(Dirt) Distances: 2 3/4 - ENC - 8 3/4.