Tha'ir Bids For York Glory

Time/Date - 14.55hrs local time/Saturday, July 25, 2015
Racecourse/Country - York/UK
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m 2f 88y

Tha'ir goes up in class for the Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes over an extended mile and a quarter at York, UK, on Saturday, July 25.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained five-year-old made all of the running for a decisive win on his first European appearance of the season in the 10-furlong Listed Ambant Gala Stakes at Sandown Park on July 3.

He started the year with three starts in handicaps over the same trip at Meydan, UAE, including when going down by a neck in a turf contest on February 26 and gaining a smooth success on the same surface on February 12.

Tha'ir ran well at Pattern level as a two-year-old in 2012, coming home third in the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, going down by a head in the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown Park and finishing a close fourth in Goodwood's Group Two Vintage Stakes.

Saeed bin Suroor said: "Tha'ir won well at Sandown last time and has improved for that run, which was his first start since February.

"An extended mile and a quarter at York will suit him and the forecast good to firm ground will also help.

"He is a better horse compared to last year and we wanted to give him another chance in a Group Two race. He is in good form and I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on."

Regular rider James Doyle partners Tha'ir, who lines up against seven others including dual Group Two winner Custom Cut, French Group One scorer Prince Gibraltar and Group One runner-up Top Notch Tonto.

Stage Gift (2007) and Kirklees (2009) have been successful for Godolphin in the Sky Bet York Stakes.