Havana Gold’s Ten to Follow for 2023

Racing Analyst Adam Brookes points you to 10 of Havana Gold’s progeny who are expected to win in 2023.

EL CABALLO has already done plenty to advertise Havana Gold’s talents as a sire, completing a six-timer in the Gr.2 Sandy Lane Stakes last summer. Given his excellent attitude it’s envisaged he will gain further Group success this year. He’s reportedly on track for the Gr.2 Duke of York Stakes, which should prove a stepping-stone to the Gr.1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Another Havana Gold with Gr.1 aspirations is STREETS OF GOLD, who was unbeaten in five starts as a 2yo and is Timeform-rated 104p. He proved himself over 7f in the British EBF £100,000 2yo Series Final at York and connections are pointing him towards a 2000 Guineas, with Newmarket under consideration (as short as 14/1 with one bookmaker).

CHATEAU became yet another Stakes winner for Havana Gold when winning the 6f Listed Rose Bowl Stakes last July. In the frame in the Gr.2 Richmond and Gimcrack Stakes thereafter, there’s still more to come from him, especially as he looks likely to stay 7f.

From the precocity of Havana Gold’s progeny to the longevity: TABDEED was beaten a whisker after meeting trouble in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood last July aged 7. Lightly raced at 2 and 3, Tabdeed won the Gr.3 Hackwood Stakes aged 5 and remains a high-class sprinter on his day. Like many by Havana Gold, fast ground really suits him.

Another older horse – albeit still four years younger than Tabdeed – who can win a big handicap is ELSALS. He changed hands for 140,000gns after showing plenty on his sole 2yo start and won twice for new connections in 2022. He finished in between two next-time-out winners on his final start and remains unexposed.

HAVE SECRET improved in leaps and bounds as a 2yo in 2022. He won nurseries over 7f at Haydock and over the extended 1m2f at Nottingham (a trip his dam won over), and should have even more to offer in 2023 starting back from a BHA mark of 89.

Very similar comments apply to SOL CAYO who gained reward for several good efforts when winning a nursery over 9.5f at Wolverhampton in November. The horse that beat him a head the time before has since won again off a 5 lb higher mark, so there’s every indication Sol Cayo will defy his new mark of 86 this season.

Another back-end 9.5f Wolverhampton winner by Havana Gold with more to come is HAVANAZAM. He finished ahead of subsequent winners Dionysian, Ramensky and Timewave when beaten a short head at Yarmouth and then won with something in hand at Dunstall Park. His dam was a 1m4f winner as a 3yo.

A horse you may not recognise is SECRET SPY, whose sole start came at Dundalk in December as a 3yo. He finished fourth but attracted market support and showed plenty to work, green when keeping on in the closing stages. He could be one to back on his return.

Another who will start 2023 from a low base but could have plenty in hand is DARK GOLD. He has a BHA rating of 61 after four starts but could prove very well handicapped given he cost 85,000gns as a full brother to smart Japanese winner Golden Syrup and half-brother to Stakes-placed Maybelater.