'A smart prospect' - Persian Force colt Salt Lake impressive at Naas

A highly impressive win by the Tally-Ho bred Salt Lake for Robson de Aguiar at Naas capped another successful day for Persian Force on Thursday. His success was swiftly followed by a deserved win for Crowned in the nursery at Southwell.

Salt Lake arrived at Naas having run a promising close second to Monogram at the Curragh. Donagh O'Connor kept it straightforward on the colt this time around, bouncing him out and letting him stride to a near four-length score in a performance that had the hallmarks of a 'smart prospect', according to the Racing Post. Appropriately he carries the colours of Amo Racing, who owns him in partnership with Valmont.

"The form of the maiden he ran in at the Curragh has worked out very well,” said Robson de Aguiar. “The horse that finished third won very well at Punchestown and the winner was second in the Group 1.

“This horse improved after that run. He galloped well and Donagh said he had plenty left in him.

“I'd say we can go seven (furlongs) or stay six. We might give him another run or two this season. We'll see what Kia (Joorabchian) wants to do. He's a nice horse for the future."

A 135,000gns purchase out of our draft at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Sale by Amo Racing and Valmont, Salt Lake was bred by us out of our accomplished Kodiac mare Lady Aria, also dam of Lady Iman and West Acre.

Meanwhile at Southwell, the Michael Keady-trained Crowned landed the 6f nursery. He was bred by Sandra Russell out of the Kingmambo mare Nawaady.

Their wins followed hot on the heels of fellow Persian Force colt Find Your Fire at Wolverhamption on Wednesday.

With 21 winners led by the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes scorer Pershaada to his credit, Persian Force heads the European first-crop sires' list by both winners and prize-money.