Al Husn

Al Husn put up a good performance to finish second to Via Sistina in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday. She travelled well through her race on the far side, but she came under a ride before they reached the two-furlong marker. Via Sistina was still on the bridle at that point, and she ran out a seriously impressive winner, but there was a lot to like about the manner in which Al Husn kept on in the centre, getting the better of Astral Beau for the runner-up spot, with last year’s Falmouth Stakes winner and Guineas runner-up Prosperous Voyage back in fifth.

Winner of a novice stakes over a mile on her final run as a juvenile, Al Husn won all three races last season, putting up the best performance of her career up to that point when she won a premier fillies’ handicap over 10 furlongs at Newmarket on her final run last season. This was probably a step up on that, dropping down by a furlong in trip, but this run suggests that she can improve again for a step back up to 10 furlongs or even a mile and a half. She is a half-sister to Moshaawer, who won over a mile and a half, and her dam is a half-sister to Itlaaq, who won over two miles.
Leopardstown, 7^th May 2023