We bought this powerful, precocious-looking son of first-season sire Persian Force for 55,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale.

Persian Force was a top-class and remarkably tough two-year-old, winning the July Stakes before going on to be placed four times at Group 1 level during his juvenile campaign. His first crop of yearlings made a very favourable impression and, as a son of the outstanding Mehmas out of a mare by Lope De Vega, he has all the credentials to develop into a top-class stallion.

The dam, Imtiyaaz, was a dual winner herself and also gained two Listed placings. She was a speedy filly by the outstanding sprinter and sire Starspangledbanner out of a Green Desert mare, so there is no shortage of speed in this pedigree. Imtiyaaz has already produced two two-year-old winners, while Cosmic Clarets has looked a winner waiting to happen. She is also a half-sister to the Listed-winning juvenile Bunker and the Irish 2,000 Guineas third Imperial Fighter. The family has an excellent ratio of winners to runners and runners to foals, something we always like to see as it points towards both ability and soundness.

Luke Lillingston commented: “Imagine buying a yearling that makes a brilliant winning debut in March before taking you to Royal Ascot, the July Meeting at Newmarket, a Group 1 in Ireland, a Group 1 at Deauville, the Middle Park Stakes and then the Breeders’ Cup in November, all while rarely running a bad race. That was Persian Force – a superbly tough, sound and genuine racehorse.

Our colt is from his first crop. He is a very good-looking, flashy individual who showed great energy, enthusiasm and athleticism at the Somerville Sale and comes from Ireland’s perennially leading breeders, Tally-Ho Stud. We felt he had all the attributes to make a smart two-year-old and should be a lot of fun.”

That confidence was immediately rewarded when he made the perfect start to his career with an impressive winning debut at Ripon. Unfortunately, his next appearance at Ascot ended prematurely when he suffered an injury that required immediate surgery. Thankfully, the operation was a success and he is now back at Rathmoy, where his rehabilitation is progressing well. We very much look forward to seeing this exciting colt back in action when the time is right.