The Qatar Racing Limited-owned NOBEL (Lope De Vega x Starlet) lived up to expectations with an impressive winning debut in the Try Our New Super Boosts at Unibet Novice Stakes (GBB) at Kempton Park on Wednesday, December 8th.
Trained by Andrew Balding, the well-bred two-year-old showed a touch of class to take the ten-runner, 1,600m contest under a confident ride from Cieren Fallon.
Quickly away from the stalls, Nobel was immediately placed behind early leader Natural Impulse (Intrinsic) through the opening stages of the contest. Travelling smoothly throughout, Nobel was poised to strike on the turn for home and once in the straight, he was allowed to stretch on into the lead 400m from home. Safely clear of the field inside the final 300m, Nobel was briefly challenged by the strong finishing Western Writer (Shamardal) but showed his superiority inside the closing stages and stretched clear to a three-length success. Having missed the break, Sky Legend (Galileo) made late headway to take third, a further two lengths behind Western Writer.
Bred by Lord Halifax, Nobel is by Ballylinch Stud’s top-class stallion Lope De Vega (Shamardal). His dam, Starlet (Sea The Stars) won a maiden at Leopardstown (Ireland) and has produced black-type performers Raakib Alhawa (Kingman), winner of the Sri Lanka August Stakes (L) at Winsor and Love Locket (No Nay Never), winner of the Leopardstown Fillies Trial Stakes (Gr 3). Nobel’s third dam Kasora (Darshaan) produced five-time Group 1 winner, sire and champion racehorse High Chapparal (Saddlers Wells).
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club