Homebred Aljazzi strikes in Listed Snowdrop Stakes

Aljazzi stretches clear under Ryan Moore

Homebred Aljazzi made a successful seasonal debut on Saturday with a victory in the Listed Snowdrop Stakes at Kempton to launch hopes of an exciting four-year-old campaign.

She becomes the second homebred stakes scorer of the season for the stud following Decorated Knight, the impressive winner of the Group 1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan last month.

It was also the second stakes win for Aljazzi herself following her success in last year’s Listed Dick Hern Stakes at Haydock. The daughter of Shamardal was also the wide margin winner of her sole start as a two-year-old at Newmarket.

Ridden at Kempton by Ryan Moore, Aljazzi was briefly trapped in among horses but showed a bright turn of foot once a gap appeared to burst through and win going away from Materialistic.

“Last year we thought a lot of Aljazzi and ran her in the Guineas, but it came too soon,” said Marco Botti. “To start this season with a nice win is a confidence-booster. She is in the Dahlia, so we’ll see about that, as it would be nice to step her back up to Group level.” 

Aljazzi represents two generations of Blue Diamond breeding as the first foal out of Nouriya, another stud homebred who carried our colours to victory in the Listed John Musker Stakes and Listed EBF Lyric Stakes.

In turn, Nouriya, by Danehill Dancer, is a half-sister to the Listed-placed Lady Nouf, also a member of the Blue Diamond band, and Balmoral Handicap winner Yuften, who also finished second past the post in the Prix Jean Prat.

Nouriya has a three-year-old filly by Galileo named Miss Nouriya in training with Marco Botti. She also has a two-year-old colt by Henrythenavigator in training with Roger Charlton and a yearling filly by Australia. She foaled a filly foal by Frankel on 5 April and is due to visit Golden Horn this season.