Courageous Stakes win for son of Shirocco

Shirocco was himself a hugely tenacious performer on the track and his offspring certainly seem to have inherited this quality. On 17 May, his son Mijhaar put up a hugely plucky performance, leading from pillar to post to land the appropriately-named Braveheart Stakes at Hamilton Park.

Making his seasonal reappearance, this was the first victory at Black type level for Roger Varian’s charge, who has finished out of the first four just twice in 12 starts and has won or been placed on eight occasions.

Bred by Darley and running in the colours of Sheikh Ahmed al Maktoum, Mijhaar is one of five winners out of the Nashwan mare Jathaabeh – a half-sister to fellow Darley stallion Iffraaj. Jathaabeh produced a full sister to Mijhaar last month and visits Teofilo this year.

Shirocco, also sire of Group winners Arrigo, Grand Vent, Wild Coco (who holds an entry in next month's Ascot Gold Cup) and Hartani, stands at Dalham Hall Stud at a fee of £7,000 October 1st SLF.