Homebred Zoustar colt wins impressively

Qatar Racing’s 3yo Zoustar colt Alpha Zulu, born and raised at Tweenhills, confirmed his debut promise when winning impressively at Kempton on Wednesday evening under Oisin Murphy.

Alpha Zulu had gone close at Newcastle on debut and improved to land the odds against nine rivals in a 6f novice at Kempton. He was soon close up and showed a good turn of foot to put the race to bed 1f out, winning by a length and a half from Peony and promising newcomer Mojeyrr, with 84-rated Mccauley’s Tavern in fourth.

It was a warm race of its type and the James Ferguson-trained Alpha Zulu looks a colt with plenty more to offer. He looked to have a most generous head carriage and the power associated with his sire - he's very exciting. 

Alpha Zulu is by Zoustar out of Hellvelyn mare La Rioja, who won the Gr.3 Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes as a 2yo for Qatar Racing and lives at Tweenhills.

Alpha Zulu is La Rioja’s second foal after dual winner Criollo (also at Tweenhills and in foal to Zoustar). 10yo La Rioja has a 2yo Dark Angel colt called Morning Suit in training with Archie Watson, another Zoustar colt yearling and a filly foal by Showcasing. She has been covered by Kameko.

La Rioja is a half-sister to two other Stakes performers in Pastoral Girl and Lilbourne Lass. What’s more, La Rioja's half-brother by Zoustar sold for 200,0000gns from Tally-Ho Stud to Blandford Bloodstock at last year’s Tattesalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale. He's in training with Andrew Balding for Derby-winning owner Saeed Suhail.