The second highest-priced lot at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Citizenship made his first repayment with a winning debut over 1250m at Canterbury on Friday.
Ridden by Tim Clark for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the 3yo son of Lord Kanaloa (JPN) outbattled a determined Step Aside (Redwood) by a half-neck with three and a quarter lengths back to the outsider Drialle (Shalaa) in third.
Citizenship and Step Aside dominated the race after the favourite Emancipist blew the start.
“He is a lovely horse that has needed a bit of time,” stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord said.
“He had a nice tick over trial last week, as he was meant to run here two weeks ago, but the track was a bit too wet for him.
“He has a good cruising speed and was ready to go, but he will improve a lot off that.”
Racing in the colours of Coolmore Stud, Citizenship was a $900,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from Kukani Park draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Bred by Arrowfield Pastoral and Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Citizenship is the first foal of the Sebring mare Believe Yourself, winner of the Group II Sweet Embrace stakes and fourth in the Golden Slipper.
Believe Yourself was sent to Japan to visit the champion sprinter and sire Lord Kanaloa (JPN) in her first season.
Galletta Constructions bought Believe Yourself’s The Autumn Sun colt for $400,000 from the Arrowfield draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Named Autunno, he finished midfield at his career debut at Rosehill last Saturday for Richard Litt.
Believe Yourself has a yearling colt and colt foal by The Autumn Sun and visited the 5-time Group 1 winning son of Redoute’s Choice again last spring.
