Matterhorn, a five-year-old son of Raven’s Pass, gained his first G1 victory on Saturday, 7 March when making all the running in the Al Maktoum Challenge R3. Sent straight to the front in the 2000m dirt contest, he was always travelling on the bridle and skipped clear off the final bend to win with ease by five-and-a-half lengths.
Making his second start for Salem bin Ghadayer, he had previously been trained in the UK by Mark Johnston where he won eight races including the Listed Midsummer Stakes at Windsor.
Bred by Barronstown Stud, Matterhorn is a son of the Stakes-placed mare Tanaghum (Darshaan), and a half-brother to four Stakes winners including Bangkok and Yaazy (Teofilo). Matterhorn is also a half-brother to Mujarah, dam of Iffraaj’s magnificent son Ribchester.
Raven’s Pass has now sired a G1 winner in each of the last three seasons. Royal Marine won the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere in 2018, while Tower Of London became Japan’s best speedster when taking the Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama last season.
Raven’s Pass is covering this season at a fee of €10,000 Oct 1, SLF.
