Derby contenders: Casual Conquest | Curtain Call | Doctor Fremantle | Frozen Fire | Henrythenavigator | Kandahar Run | King Of Rome | New Approach | Tajaaweed | Tartan Bearer

KANDAHAR RUN 3-y-o (13 Apr 2005) gr c

Rock Of Gibraltar(IRE) - Kenmist (Kenmare (FR))

Trainer: H R A Cecil Owner: Gestut Ammerland Bred: Britton House Stud

Rock Of Gibraltar was a top-class miler. He won seven Group One races over seven-furlongs and a mile, on a variety of ground conditions from heavy through too good to firm. He is yet to sire a winner of a Group race over a mile and a half; his offspring have a median stamina distance index of nine and a half furlongs.

Kandahar Run’s dam ran eight times in her career on the racecourse. She won two races; a maiden over ten furlongs and a Class One handicap at Ascot over a mile. Kenmist has thrown five foals, the highest rated of the five is Grey Lilas. She won four races, including the Prix Du Moulin over one-mile and two Group Three events over a mile and ten-furlongs. Only one of Kenmist’s offspring has won over a mile and a half. Her name was Night Dhu and the win came in a minor event at Clairefontaine. Night Dhu’s sire was Montjeu; his offspring have a median stamina distance index of eleven and a half furlongs. Everything points to Kandahar Run being at his best over a mile and quarter.

Kandahar Run made his debut in 2007 at Sandown Park. Noted as a scopey individual, he raced easily behind the leaders; challenging the ultimate winner Jedediah a furlong from home, he was unable to overcome his inexperience and greenness in the closing stages. Sent to Doncaster he broke his duck and followed up at Newmarket, in the Houghton Stakes. On both occasions, he displayed inexperience and greenness, leaving the impression he would strengthen and develop into a top-class racehorse this season.

Henry Cecil started his season in the Fielden Stakes. Kandahar Run ran a fine race going under by half a length to a race-fit Campanologist. That fellow has subsequently finished second in the Lingfield Derby trial. Kandahar Run returned to Newmarket on Guineas weekend; he ran out a facile winner of the Listed Newmarket Stakes. Kandahar Run left the impression that weekend he was a Group One performer in the making; whether that will be over a mile and a half, is open to question.