Qatar Racing a source of a good horse

Further proof that Qatar Racing horses are always worth noting at bloodstock sales came at Catterick yesterday.

Master Of Irony (pictured right), who was sold as part of a draft of horses from Qatar Racing at October's edition of Tattersalls' Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale, made his debut for trainer John Quinn in a novices' hurdle, and ran out a ready winner from ten rivals. Carrying the colours of Highfield Racing 6 he finished three and a half lengths clear of the runner-up.

Quinn was concerned the trip of nearly two and a half miles would prove too far for the son of Makfi, and he told the Racing Post's reporter at Catterick: ‚"The two leaders really turned the coal on entering the straight and I thought 'have I run him too far?', but Master Of Irony is gutsy and that was great. He¬¥ll be back on the Flat as well.‚"

Quinn's son, Sean, signed for Master Of Irony at the sales when bringing the hammer down with a bid of 46,000gns.

During his time with Qatar Racing the four-year-old gelding was trained by Ralph Beckett and won three times on the Flat.

Photo of Master Of Irony in Qatar Racing colours: Laurence Squire