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

TAJAAWEED (USA) 3-y-o (25 Jan 2005) br c

Dynaformer(USA) - Uforia (USA) (Zilzal (USA))

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Owner: Hamdan Al Maktoum Bred: Herman Sarkowsky

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Dynaformer’s most successful offspring have raced over ten-furlongs on dirt in the U.S.A. However, he is also the sire of last season’s St Leger winner Lucarno. Tajaaweed’s dam Uforia was unplaced in several sprints on the turf in the U.S.A. She is a daughter of the top-class miler Zilzal. Her three other offspring to race all competed over seven furlongs and a mile as three-year-olds.

Tajaweed is a big, strong, imposing, colt who has run three times. He made his debut last September in a maiden at Nottingham. Always travelling well, he come home five-lengths clear of his field, winning easily. Subsequently he was sent for the Racing Post Trophy, where he was too green to do himself justice. It should be noted several of the horses that were well beaten that day, have subsequently proved the form to be all wrong.

Reappearing this season at Chester in the Dee Stakes, he travelled kindly for Richard Hills. Sent to the inside in the home straight, he showed a good turn of foot to get up close home, denying Henry Cecil’s colt Unnefer, who has since won a Listed event at Newmarket. Despite his size, Sir Michael Stoute is confident he possesses the ability to handle Epsom’s unique test and he has been delighted with the colt’s progress since his Chester win.

Tajaweed seems adaptable as far as ground conditions go, though there has to be some doubt on breeding, whether he will see out a truly run mile and a half race.