Mental in Dubai

Having left the care of the Peter Snowden team after his last start win in the G1 Patinack Farm Classic during the Spring carnival, four-year-old Lonhro gelding Mental travelled to Dubai where he is now part of Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin racing team.

Starting first up in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint for trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni on the all weather surface, Mental settled back in the field before unleashing a burst of speed to reach the lead 100m from home, going on to score by a length, and in the process leaving a high-class field of international gallopers in his wake including last year’s winner of G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Krypton Factor.

Bred by Darley, Mental is the latest foal out of Intrigues, a winning daughter of G1 winner and Champion Shaybisc and a half-sister to Stakes winners Bradshaw, Asarka and Sashed, the dam of G1 winner Freemason and Listed winner Santissima, herself the dam of Listed winner Serenissima, also by Lonhro.

Lonhro is the sire of 36 international Stakes winners including G1 winners Beaded, the Champion Two-year-old Pierro as well as Darley stallions Benfica and Denman, whose first crop of yearlings are currently going through the sales rings of Australasia this year.