Marbaan swoops late for Vintage triumph

The two-year-old Oasis Dream colt produced a well-timed run to take the Gr.2 Vintage Stakes by half a length at Goodwood yesterday.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 27th July 2022, by Sean Cronin:

Successful in two of his first three outings, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Marbaan belied odds of 14-1 to claim a career high on his stakes debut in the Gr.2 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The March-foaled bay was steadied in rear after an alert getaway from the outside stall. Easing closer in the straight, he was shaken up approaching the final furlong and quickened smartly in the latter stages to deny Royal Ascot's Listed Chesham Stakes hero Holloway Boy by a half-length nearing the line.

"We have always thought a lot of Marbaan and it was a real boost over the winter to be sent horses by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum," revealed Charlie Fellowes. "He was a really good-looking yearling who has just progressed and progressed and we put him in at the deep end today."

Looking ahead, the trainer added: "I put him in the [Gr.2] Champagne Stakes this morning and he is in the [Gr.1 Vincent O'Brien] National Stakes in Ireland. There are lots of lovely options for him and he now warrants a trip anywhere. I will speak to Sheikh Ahmed and his team and see where they want to go."

Jockey Jamie Spencer added: "Marbaan has always been a smart horse and I liked him from the first time I sat on him. I knew down by the three-furlong pole that I was running away and Danny [Tudhope] on Holloway Boy was starting to squeeze, so I just timed my run. Marbaan is a gorgeous looking horse and I'm sure he'll stay a mile. He has progressed with each run and needs to progress again. You would think physically he should do so and it's down to Charlie and his team. I'm sure the autumn races will be there for him."