Ayrad wins Tapster Stakes

Ayrad won the Tapster Stakes on Sautrday

Ayrad ran out the brave winner of the Tapster Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday for Roger Varian to bag a first deserved stakes success.

Ridden by Graham Lee, Ayrad was momentarily blocked in his run but showed a determined attitude to squeeze through an inside gap and run down Eye Of The Storm before holding off the late challenge of Rawaki.

Ayrad has progressed nicely for Roger Varian since breaking his maiden at Hamilton last May, running 11th in the Prix du Jockey Club before running a close third in the Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket.

He was bought for 70,000gns by Tony Nerses out of the draft of his breeder Gerrardstown House Stud at Book 1 of the 2012 Tattersalls October Sale. A 43rd stakes winner Dalakhani, he is the best of four winners out of Sweet Firebird, a Listed-placed Sadler’s Wells half-sister to top sprinter Stravinsky.

Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar also own Ayrad’s two-year-old half-sister Dawn Of Hope, a daughter of Mastercraftsman for whom Tony Nerses paid €220,000 at last year’s Goffs Orby Sale.