Dalasan Captures Leon Macdonald Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday August 27

Dalasan was back in the winner's circle for the first time in over two years when triumphant in the race named in honour of his co-trainer, the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville, but needed to hold the result in the steward's room.

Ridden by Jason Holder for Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas, the 6yo son of Dalakhani swept down the outside to defeat the Magnus gelding Just Folk by a neck with the Uncle Mo (USA) gelding Oh Mo a half head back in third.

Advertisement

Melissa Julius, on the runner-up, lodged a protest for interference in the closing stages, which stewards dismissed.

Dalasan was making his first start since finishing sixth in the Group III RA Lee Stakes in May and returning to the winner's list for the first time since the Group III Chairman's Stakes in April 2020. Since his last win, sixteen of the 22 races contested by Dalasan have been a Group 1 level.

"The owners wanted to win a Group 1 with him, and that's why he was in those races," Macdonald said.

"I'm sure it wouldn't have been 28 months if we aimed at the level just below.

"This is sensational. It would've been very disappointing if he'd got beat."

A 6yo entire, Dalasan advances his record to eight wins, four seconds, and five thirds from 36 starts while banking  $3,506,540.

An $80,000 Inglis Premier purchase for his trainers from the Mill Park draft, Dalasan was bred by the SA-based Toorak Thoroughbred Breeding Trust. 

Dalasan an $80,000 Inglis Premier yearling

He is the best of three winners from four to race from stakes-placed Kitten's Joy (USA) mare Khandallah, purchased by Hancock Quality Bloodstock for $35,000 out of the Widden Stud draft at the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale.

Khandallah comes from an international family featuring Group winners Galic Boy, Smokey Stover and Dreadnaught.

Macdonald Gluyas Racing purchased Khandallah's So You Think filly for $300,000 out of the Mill Park draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Named Party Princess, she has placed once in two starts and finished fourth in the opening race at Morphettville on Saturday.

Khandallah has a 2yo American Pharoah (USA) and a yearling Vino Rosso (USA) colt. She was covered by Ghaiyyath (IRE) last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Leon Macdonald Stakes LR 1400m

Morphettville Parks Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:26.97
1
Dalasan
- 6h Dalakhani (IRE) x Khandallah (AUS) (Kitten's Joy (USA))
Tnr: L Macdonald & A Gluyas Rdr: J Holder 59
2
0.3
Just Folk
- 6g Magnus (AUS) x Fast Ruby (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: Joshua Julius Rdr: Melissa Julius 59
Magnus
3
0.4
Oh Mo
- 8g Uncle Mo (USA) x Lady Orio (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S Burford Rdr: B Vorster 59
4
0.8
Next Dimension
- 7g Per Incanto (USA) x Gee Baby (NZ) (Exploding Prospect (USA))
Tnr: Ms P Trenwith Rdr: Jake Toeroek 59
5
1.2
Zoulah
- 6m Zoustar (AUS) x Okaylah (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Will Clarken Rdr: Kayla Crowther 57
6
2.5
Extreme Thrill
- 8g Bullet Train (GB) x Mezmar (AUS) (Marwina (AUS))
Tnr: W F Francis & G Kent Rdr: Campbell Rawiller 59
7
2.8
Agreeable
- 5m Sebring (AUS) x Affable (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: Will Clarken Rdr: Todd Pannell 57
8
2.9
So Say Angel
- 5m So You Think (NZ) x Holy One (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Ryan Balfour Rdr: J Benbow 57
9
3.9
Jaamint
- 7m Mint Lane (USA) x Jaalippy (AUS) (Foxhound (USA))
Tnr: Garret Lynch Rdr: Sophie Logan 57
10
4.0
Grinzinger Star
- 7g Reliable Man (GB) x Miss Artistic (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: Kylie McKerlie Rdr: Sairyn Fawke 59
11
6.6
Master Chum
- 8g Clangalang (AUS) x Flying Foxtrot (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: R H Wilkinson Rdr: D Caboche 59
More Reading...
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Dalakhani's Dalasan Untroubled in Chairman's Stakes
It’s starting to sound like a broken record but it was another good day at the office for Mill Park Stud graduates with one of their star pupils, Dalasan, making it three stakes wins on the day for the leading South Australian operation following his win in the  Chairman's Stakes (2035m).
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).