The Al Shaqab Racing owned AL MARMAR (Kodiac x Fraulein) produced a polished effort and galloped to a clear success when taking the MansionBet Beaten By A Head Maiden Stakes at Lingfield Park on Monday, January 3rd.

The three-year-old colt trained by Andrew Balding was making a winning return to Lingfield Park, having finished second at the same venue when making his racecourse debut six weeks earlier. Confidently ridden by jockey David Probert, Al Marmar proved a class apart from his eight rivals and took the 1,600m contest with ease.

Zion Star (Estidhkaar) and Unknown Territory (Territories) took the field along at a brisk early gallop. Al Marmar traveled well on the leaders heels and was covered up against the rail. On the downhill run for home, it was clear that Al Marmar was traveling better than the rest and Probert waited patiently for a gap to appear. On turning into the straight, Zion Star came under pressure and began to hang towards the centre of the track, offering the perfect opening to the strong going Al Marmar. Once in the clear, Al Marmar was asked to stride on and took over in the lead from Unknown Territory at the 200m pole. Stretching clear, Al Marmar galloped strongly to the line to score by six lengths. The slow starting Addingham (Intello) made some late progress to finish second, along with Red Dwarf (Belardo) who ran well in third.

Bred by Diomed Bloodstock Ltd. Al Marmar is by Tally Ho Stud stallion Kodiac (Danehill). His dam, Fraulein (Acatenago) won the Group 1 E P Taylor Stakes at Woodbine Park. She has produced seven individual winners, including dual listed winner That Is The Spirit (Invincible Spirit) and Irish Listed scorer Kukri (Sepoy).

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club