Another Stakes win for Havana Grey

Havana Grey returned to front running to record his second Stakes success in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown. He is one of 11 individual winners for the leading first season sire Havana Gold, including Gr.2 Coventry second Headway.

It was an impressive performance by this two-year-old colt who was unchallenged, blitzing his rivals and recording a comfortable one and a quarter length success for trainer Karl Burke and owners the Global Racing Club and Mrs E Burke. His next target is likely to be the Molecomb or Prix de Robert Papin.

Trainer Karl Burke said: "He's a very good horse, he has a great cruising speed and can also quicken off it. He's just got that fantastic turn of foot and I'm really happy he's shown it again."

Jockey PJ McDonald said: "Havana Grey has done very well today. He's made a bit of a liar out of me because I always said to Karl that he would be better held up, but we tried that at Royal Ascot and when I let him down he didn't pick up the way I thought he would. A good draw and back to the wining tactics and it's worked today. Karl was adamant I rode him that way and he was right."

A €70,000 yearling at Arqana's August Sale, Havana Grey was bred by Mickley Stud and Lady Lonsdale. He is out of the six-time winning sprinter Blanc de Chine (Dark Angel), a half-sister to seven winners including Fast Act, who also finished second in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes.

Standing on behalf of Qatar Bloodstock at Tweenhills, Havana Gold has had a cracking start with his first crop and has plenty more exciting prospects yet to make their mark.