By Tom Frary
Willie John (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who had won with panache on debut for Markus Jooste and China Horse Club and the William Haggas stable at Yarmouth in October, became headline news when selling to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum for 1.9million gns at Tattersalls February but had needed time and patience to make his debut for that partnership. Anchored in a share of fourth by Andrea Atzeni early, the even-money favourite was delivered to lead passing the quarter pole. From there, it was very straightforward and the bay was smooth en route to a five-length dismissal of Hidden Depths (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). From an amazing Meon Valley Stud dynasty, the winner is a half-brother to the sprinter Dreamfield (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who in the last two months has failed narrowly to land one of the biggest gambles in Royal Ascot's Wokingham H. in recent history before finishing a highly respectable sixth in the G1 July Cup. The dam is the G1 Pretty Polly S. and G1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Izzi Top (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), a half-sister to the G2 Prix de la Nonette scorer and G1 Prix de l'Opera runner-up Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Their half-brother Emaraaty (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was a 2.6million gns Tattersalls October joint-topper in 2016 and has shown useful form for John Gosden, while the third dam is the 2003 G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Zee Zee Top (GB) (Zafonic). This is also the family of this year's Listed Feilden S. winner Mildenberger (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) and last year's G3 Sovereign S. and G3 Rose of Lancaster S. winner Ballet Concerto (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Varian also signed the docket at 2.6million gns for a colt by Emaraaty's sire Dubawi (Ire) at Tattersalls October. He is now named Prince Eiji (GB), while Izzi Top also has a yearling filly by Muhaarar (GB) and a colt foal by Frankel (GB).
3rd-Doncaster, £5,800, Cond, 8-4, 3yo/up, 10f 43yT, 2:10.83, g/f.
WILLIE JOHN (GB) (c, 3, Dansili {GB}–Izzi Top {GB} {G1SW-Fr & Ire, MGSW & G1SP-Eng, $734,076}, by Pivotal {GB}) Sales history: 325,000gns Ylg '16 TATOCT; 1,900,000gns HRA '18 TATFEB. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $11,066. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Meon Valley Stud (GB); T-Roger Varian.
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