Baylagan a Toronado First at Le Lion d'Angers

5th-LLD, €18,000, Mdn, 4-29, unraced 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:13.63, gd.
BAYLAGAN (FR) (c, 2, Toronado {Ire}–Al Waghaa {Fr}, by Muhtathir {GB}) was sharply into stride and raced prominently from flagfall in this newcomers' test. Joining the front rank at the top of the straight, the 51-10 chance came under pressure to gain a narrow advantage approaching the final furlong and kept on gamely under whipless rousting to deny Alissachope (Fr) (Kheleyf) by a short head in a bobbing finish, becoming the first winner for his Haras de Bouquetot-based freshman sire (by High Chaparral {Ire}). Kin to a yearling colt by Planteur (Ire), he is the first foal produced by Al Waghaa (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}), who is a full-sister to the dual stakes-placed Maroon Machine (Ire), and a half-sister to the dual stakes-placed Place Vendome (Fr) (Dr Fong), who in turn is the dam of G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Style Vendome (Fr) (Anabaa) and stakes-winning G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Criterium International placegetter Prestige Vendome (Fr) (Orpen). Sales history: €45,000 Ylg '17 AROCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €9,000. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Faisal bin Khalid Al Thani (FR); T-Simone Brogi.