New Approach's Hey Gaman Wins the Washington Singer

Hey Gaman had shown some quality when winning two six-furlong conditions races at Yarmouth July 6 and at Newmarket last time July 29, on the latter occasion dispensing a five-length beating to the dual listed runner-up Roussel (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). Ninth in the June 24 Listed Chesham S. at Royal Ascot and 12th in the Listed July S. at Newmarket July 13, the bay showed no diminution in his enthusiasm for the game when leading from pillar to post to register a first black-type success. Working hard in front to battle the elements as Martin Harley opted to stretch his rivals, he had to contend with the promising Sandown maiden winner Red Mist from the furlong pole but toughed it out to hold sway in the photo. “It was tough out there–the testing ground was one thing, but the headwind was another,” his jockey said. “The second pressed me a long way down, so it was a good performance from a good horse. He's got a big heart and it rode like a good race.”

Trainer James Tate has a useful collection of 2-year-olds and will be moving Hey Gaman up in class now. “He has always worked really well and although I was disappointed with a couple of his runs, it turns out he likes it soft,” he explained. “There was nothing good enough to lead him today and I felt the second had the advantage of slipstreaming him, so the best horse won. He'll go for a seven-furlong group race next and we hope he'll get a mile next year. I'd be nervous about running him on ground with no mention of soft in the description.” Red Mist's trainer Simon Crisford was far from disheartened by the outcome and said, “I am delighted with his run. He is obviously very inexperienced and he put in a huge effort there. He handled that ground and that was not an issue. He would prefer better ground, as then his turn of foot comes into play. He's in the [Sept. 16 G2] Champagne at Doncaster and that is a consideration. Sheikh Ahmed will make a plan for him.”

Hey Gaman is the first foal out of the G3 International Istanbul Trophy runner-up Arsaadi, who proved the leading performer for Arsad who in turn is a half-sister to three black-type winners headed by the G2 King's Stand S. and G3 King George S. winner The Tatling (Ire) (Perugino). Also from the family of the stakes winner Billy Allen (Ire) (Night Shift), Arsaadi has a yearling full-brother to the winner to follow.

DENFORD S.-Listed, £25,500, NBY, 8-19, 2yo, 7fT, 1:28.79, sf.
1–HEY GAMAN (GB), 127, c, 2, by New Approach (Ire)
1st Dam: Arsaadi (Ire) (GSP-Tur & MSP-Eng, $207,928), by Dubawi (Ire)
2nd Dam: Arsad (Ire), by Cape Cross (Ire)
3rd Dam: Astuti (Ire), by Waajib (Ire)
*1st stakes win. (100,000gns RNA Ylg '16 TATOCT). O-Sultan Ali; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-James Tate; J-Martin Harley. £14,461. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-0, $38,518.
2–Red Mist (GB), 127, c, 2, Frankel (GB)">Frankel (GB)–Red Dune (Ire), by Red Ransom. O-Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum. £5,483.
3–Another Batt (Ire), 127, g, 2, Windsor Knot (Ire)–Mrs Batt (Ire), by Medecis (GB). O-Excel Racing (Another Batt). £2,744.
Margins: NO, 1 3/4, NK. Odds: 3.30, 2.25, 4.50.
Also Ran: Learn By Heart (GB), Ann Without An E (GB), Ripley (Ire). Scratched: Master of Wine (Ger), Ventura Knight (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.