Limestone & Behike in a successful weekend for Al Shaqab Racing 3yos

Al Shaqab Racing’s three-year-olds enjoyed a productive 48-hour spell across Ireland and Britain, with LIMESTONE securing a first Blacktype success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats Stakes LR at Navan before BEHIKE followed up with an impressive novice victory at Lingfield.

Limestone registers his first Blacktype victory at Navan (credit Healy Racing)

The weekend began in Ireland, where LIMESTONE continued his progression with a determined success in the Yeats Stakes LR over 2,600 metres. Trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, the son of New Bay and Modernstone (Duke Of Marmalade) was winning for the third time from five starts. Settled towards the rear before making his challenge in the straight, he finished strongly to overhaul the leader inside the final furlong and secure his first Listed victory.

Already successful at Cork on his seasonal return after winning as a juvenile at Listowel, the Ballylinch Stud-bred sophomore has now put together a sequence of three consecutive victories and continues to establish himself among the leading staying prospects of his generation.

Just two days later, BEHIKE added a second success to the tally at Lingfield. Racing in the colours of our partners Amo Racing, the son of Night Of Thunder and Sagrada Familia (Golden Horn), bred by Irish National Stud Mare Syndicate IV, followed up his impressive maiden victory at the same track last month.

Trained by George Scott and ridden by David Egan, BEHIKE travelled prominently throughout the six-furlong contest before taking control over two furlongs from home and drawing clear to score comfortably by two and three-quarter lengths. The victory maintained his unbeaten record this season and confirmed the promise he had shown when winning by seven lengths on his previous outing.

With a Listed winner and an impressive novice scorer emerging within 48 hours of one another, LIMESTONE and BEHIKE provided further encouragement for an exciting crop of Al Shaqab Racing three-year-olds.

3rd consecutive victory for Behike at Lingfield (credit Darren Cool)