Horses To Follow » Donjuan Triumphant

Donjuan Triumphant

Donjuan Triumphant put up a really impressive performance to win the six-furlong nursery at Ayr last Friday.

Strong in the market beforehand, Richard Fahey’s horse travelled nicely just behind the leaders towards the near side through the early stages of the race.  Still on the bridle on the run to the two-furlong pole, he showed a really impressive turn of foot when Jack Garrity asked him to pick up.  He joined Flying Pursuit just inside the furlong marker, and he cleared away to put four lengths between himself and his pursuer before being eased down close home.

This was Donjuan Triumphant’s first victory.  Beaten a head, a neck, a neck and a short head in his first four races, he was raised 5lb for his defeat in his first nursery at the hands of Receding Waves at Haydock on his previous run.  He is highly progressive, however, and the mark of 88 off which he raced on Saturday was obviously well within range.  He was visually impressive, he easily beat a decent field of juveniles, and he clocked a good time for a juvenile, just 1.3secs slower than the time that Go Far clocked in winning the Bronze Cup a half an hour later.

The handicapper raised him 11lb for this, which is not insignificant, but he was impressive enough to justify a hike of that magnitude, he won with lots in hand, and he is still interesting off his new mark of 99.  These big fields suit him well, he is a keen-going sort, and he will be of interest again now wherever he goes next.  Longer term, he will be of interest as a three-year-old in the big spring handicaps next year.  He could be another Ayr Gold Cup horse for his trainer.

18th September 2015