Homebred Criollo wins 2 from 3 starts

Qatar Racing homebred Criollo – born and raised at Tweenhills – won her second race from just three starts at Southwell on Thursday, looking a useful prospect.

Criollo carried a penalty for her win in another novice at Lingfield but still started odds-on and never gave her backers a moment’s worry bar a tardy start. Under new Qatar Racing first jockey Cieren Fallon, Criollo raced in mid-division before sweeping to the front approaching the final furlong.

Criollo took another step forward in ratings terms as she beat Kaahira by two lengths, with over three lengths back to the third. Criollo looked very genuine and will surely improve further, whether William Haggas goes again on the all-weather or waits for the turf season.

Criollo remains one of the key characters in our ‘Follow The Foals’ feature in association with Ascot Racecourse, her life having been documented from hear early steps until now. The striking grey filly was named as part of social media competition.

By Dark Angel, Criollo is the first foal out of La Rioja, who won the Gr.3 Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes as a two-year-old and went on to finish fourth in the second running of the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. She has one go over seven furlongs, the trip over which Criollo has run so far.

There’s still a way to go but with a new Timeform Rating of 80p, Criollo is edging her way to contesting Stakes races herself. La Rioja’s two-year-old colt by Zoustar is in training and she also has a yearling full brother to Criollo.