After winning on his 3-year-old bow over seven furlongs at Newmarket Apr. 12, Thikriyaat followed up in the Listed King Charles II S. over the same course and distance May 14 before finishing second to the subsequent G1 Sussex S. third Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) in Royal Ascot's G3 Jersey S. also at that distance June 15. Niggled at early to stay in mid-division as TDN Rising Star Emotionless (Ire) (Shamardal) and Light Up Our World set up a strong pace, the bay needed racing room as Forge was unleashed out wide approaching the final furlong. Out in time to accelerate smartly and cut down that stablemate in the last 25 yards, Thikriyaat asserted for an ultimately clear-cut success in this competitive renewal. “I had to really sit and suffer as he was on his head a bit early on, but he's got such a lovely temperament and all he wants to do is please,” jockey Paul Hanagan explained. “He just does enough and without a shadow of a doubt, he'll get further as he is so genuine.”
Sir Michael Stoute has two smart colts to take into the second half of the season in the first and second and said of the winner, “He's very tough and honest and consistent–he's a very admirable horse. I think he'll get a bit further than that, while [Forge] is a nice horse in the making.” Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's racing manager Angus Gold added, “The only thing I'm sure of is, at some stage, he will go over a mile and a quarter. Every time he runs he is off the bridle and hits a flat spot at some stage. For a horse that looks like a puff of wind would blow him over, he has got a fantastic attitude.” Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Forge's owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah, commented, “The form looks very strong and it is another good, solid run from him. I think he is learning as he is a big and very deep horse. I think racing just continues to bring him on and there is certainly progression in him. I think the trip is to be discussed, but seven to nine furlongs is within in his compass. It just depends where we go from here. We could drop him back in trip for something like the [G3] City of York [S. at York Aug. 19] or the [G2] Hungerford [S. at Newbury Aug. 13], but then he could run in something like the [G2] Celebration Mile [at Goodwood Aug. 27]. There are various options for him.”
Malaspina is a half-sister to three black-type performers including the G3 Prix de Flore winner Albisola (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and the G3 Prix Quincey scorer and G1 Criterium International runner-up Johnny Barnes (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). Set to be further represented by a 2-year-old filly by Acclamation (GB) named Daban (Ire) and a yearling colt by Pour Moi (Ire), she is also a half to the dam of the G1 St James's Palace S.-winning sire Most Improved (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) and Ectot (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}), who captured the G1 Criterium International and G2 Prix Niel. The family also includes the sires Muroto (GB), Ivan Luis (Fr) and Stagelight (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and the G1 1000 Guineas third Hathrah (Ire) (Linamix {Fr}), later the dam of the G1 Prix de l'Opera third Hadaatha (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}).
Friday, Goodwood, Britain
BONHAMS THOROUGHBRED S.-G3, £100,000, GOO, 7-29, 3yo, 8fT, 1:38.16, g/f.
1–@THIKRIYAAT (IRE), 127, g, 3, by Azamour (Ire)
1st Dam: Malaspina (Ire), by Whipper
2nd Dam: Mahalia (Ire), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Maresca (Ire), by Mill Reef
(70,000gns Ylg '14 TAOCT). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Kildaragh Stud (IRE); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Paul Hanagan. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0, $151,076. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Forge (GB), 127, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Heat Haze (GB), by Green Desert. O-Mr K. Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £21,500.
3–Light Up Our World (Ire), 124, f, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Shine Like a Star (GB), by Fantastic Light. O/B-D. Boocock (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £10,760.
Margins: HF, 3/4, HD. Odds: 2.25, 4.50, 25.00.
Also Ran: Dragon Mall, Tony Curtis (GB), Promising Run, Emotionless (Ire), Buratino (Ire), Cymric. Scratched: Czabo (GB), They Seek Him Here (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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