Mehmas colt Knight jumped into the reckoning for next year's Classics when running out the easy winner of the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained colt, who carries the colours of KHK Racing, had created a fine impression when winning on debut at Yarmouth and once again operated with the minimum of fuss, travelling well under David Egan before quickening clear for a comfortable success.
"He was very impressive," David Egan told Racing TV. "I rode him prior to his racecourse debut and he’s really matured since then. He raced very economically today and when I did get him out and he hit the front, he showed a little bit of greenness but then he really picked up his knees, grabbed the ground and galloped out well."
He added: "Galloping out as well as he did, I'd ve very confident that he'll get a mile. He’s very exciting for the Crisford and KHK team. It depends how he matures over the winter but he should be capable of giving a good account of himself in one of the spring trials. He has the potential to be top-class."
Knight was bred by us out of the New Approach mare Fidaaha, who has already produced one high-class horse to Mehmas in Malavath, winner of the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte and Group 3 Prix Imprudence. He was sold as part of our draft in last year's Tattersalls October Book 2 Sale, where he was knocked down to Stroud Coleman.
Knight becomes the 19th stakes winner for Mehmas and the second out of his third crop of 2yos following the Group 1 performer Persian Force.
His win came on the same afternoon that Power Under Me - from Mehmas' first crop - added a third stakes victory to his record in the Listed Knockaire Stakes at Leopardstown. The four-year-old struck late under Colin Keane to win in cosy fashion.
Power Under Me, who carries the colours of Vincent Goul, was bred by Barbel Weiss out of Oonagh, an Arakan half-sister to Listed winner Majestic Myles and classy two-year-old Parbold.
