Ready to run

When his first runners hit the racecourse back in 2008, it soon became clear that Kheleyf was a force to be reckoned with as a sire of super speedy juveniles. By the middle of July that year, he had recorded no fewer than 17 individual winners (and was easily leading first-season sire) and rounded off his season with an impressive tally of 31, headed up by G3 winner and G2 Robert Papin second, Percolator.

Kheleyf’s runners this year are the produce of arguably his best book of mares yet, being out of 74 Stakes winners or dams of Stakes winners. They have wasted little time in confirming their promise, with no fewer than eight winning so far this year – more than any other European sire.

Penny’s Picnic became his first juvenile winner of 2012 with a six-length romp at Saint-Cloud and has since won twice more, including just last week when she gained her first Black type win in the Listed Prix la Fleche – incidentally the very same race that Percolator took during her debut season four years ago.

 On 11 June, another of Kheleyf’s juveniles caught the eye when Joey’s Destiny won by five lengths on his debut, easily beating three rivals who has previous racecourse experience. He is now Royal Ascot-bound where he will aim to successfully step up in class in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes.

Also a promising performer is Tennessee Wildcat, who also won on his debut and has since been Stakes-placed, finishing third behind the unbeaten Dawn Approach (New Approach) in the Listed Rochestown Stakes.

With the juvenile racing season only just getting into full swing and eight winners on the board already, this year could well be Kheleyf’s year… again!