Masar dominates in the Craven

New Approach colt stamps himself as major 2000 Guineas contender

New Approach’s three-year-old son Masar put on a show in the G3 Craven at Newmarket on 19 April, winning by nine lengths and establishing himself as a top contender for next month’s 2000 Guineas.

Masar broke sharply and went straight to the front in the one-mile event and pulled away from the field in the final furlong to win easily going away.  Last year as a two-year-old, Masar won the G3 Solario Stakes at Sandown and was placed in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Chantilly.

Masar hails from one of the best families in the studbook. His dam is the Champion racemare Khawlah (Cape Cross), winner of the UAE Derby and Oaks, and third dam the multiple Classic-placed Melikah, who is the dam of record-breaking Masterstroke and Irish Group winner Moonlight Magic. Melikah is a daughter of the great Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Urban Sea who has produced two of the all-time greats in Galileo and Sea The Stars. Khawlah also has a Shamardal yearling colt and has been tested in foal to Dubawi this season.

New Approach is the sire of six G1 winners including 2000 Guineas victor Dawn Approach and Oaks winner Talent.  Masar was one of five juvenile Stakes horses for New Approach in 2017, along with G1 performer Magic Lily, G2 Champagne Stakes second Hey Gaman and Stakes-winning filly Hadith.

New Approach stands at Dalham Hall Stud at a fee of £30,000.