Qatar Bloodstock breed Gr. 1 winner North America

The Qatar Bloodstock-bred North America was a runaway winner of the Gr. 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 at Meydan on Saturday.

North America was born and raised at Tweenhills in Hartpury, Gloucestershire, until being sold as a foal in 2012 to Godolphin for 100,000 guineas. North America failed to win in his first six starts but was transformed for joining Satish Seemar, returning with four wins on the bounce in 2016/17, including a Gr. 3.

North America reappeared after almost 10 months off when third to Heavy Metal in a Gr. 2 in January and, after going down by just a neck to Thunder Snow in a similar race in February, the six-year-old reversed the form with Thunder Snow in spectacular fashion in Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge on dirt.

In the hands of Richard Mullen, North America soon led and won by five and a quarter lengths on Saturday, pushing his Timeform Rating to 126.

North America is by Dubawi out of the Yankee Victor mare Northern Mischief. Northern Mischief was bought from Denford Stud by David Redvers for 120,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2011. Northern Mischief is also the dam of Nathaniel filly Liquid Gold, who won a handicap for Richard Fahey last August.

Other notable horses bred by Qatar Bloodstock Limited include Gr. 2 Rockfel Stakes winner Al Thakira, Gr. 2 Queen's Vase runner-up Count Octave and dual Listed runner-up Bletchley.