First runner a winner for BDS Gimcrack hero Ajaya

Our top-class homebred Ajaya, who carried the colours of Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar to win the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes, made a flying start to his stud career on Friday when his first runner, Igotatext, landed his debut at Lingfield.

Sent off favourite for Archie Watson, Igotatext made light of his wide draw to sit just behind the strong pace and pounce when asked by Hollie Doyle. At the line, Marco Polo’s colt had a length and a quarter to spare over the runner-up Lothian in what was a really smart debut performance.

Igotatext is the first runner for Ajaya, who was bred by Blue Diamond Stud out of the Hennessy mare Nessina. Trained by William Haggas, Ajaya was the impressive winner of the 2015 Gimcrack Stakes at York and was also second in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin.

Ajaya was retired to stand at Rathbarry Stud for the 2017 season but sadly proved sub-fertile.

Igotatext was bred by Peter and Hugh McCutcheon out of the BDS-bred Tifawt. He is the second foal out of his dam, an unraced High Chaparral half-sister to top sprinter Kingsgate Native.

Ajaya’s dam Nessina remains a valued member of the BDS broodmare band. In addition to Ajaya, she is also the dam of the high-class Extra Elusive. She alsohas a yearling colt by Siyouni and foaled a sister to Ajaya this year.