Sale topper looks a likely sort

The daughter of Exceed And Excel headed DBS's breeze-up auction at Doncaster when knocked down to David Redvers for £340,000 on behalf of Qatar Racing, and was then sent to Yorkshire trainer David Barron.

Little more than two weeks later former champion jockey Kevin Darley rode her in work and reported she was "strong, very well balanced and has an excellent attitude", and the Carlisle race was picked for her racing debut. There she met eight rivals and duly blitzed them under jockey Harry Bentley, coming home five lengths clear of her nearest pursuer.

Darley, who reports to Sheikh Fahad on horses trained in the north of England, said: "Although it wasn't much of a race there was a lot to like about the way she did it," while Bentley commented: "She has so much natural speed, but what I most like is that she's able to settle and do everything the right way round."

Bred at Germany's Gestut Fahrhof, Likely was produced by the Pivotal mare La Pilaya, a half-sister to two black-type winners and from the family of champion racehorse Lomitas. Barron believes she will find six furlongs no problem, so the Gr.3 Albany Stakes over that trip, or the shorter Queen Mary Stakes, await her at the Royal Meeting.

Photograph of Likely in the ring at Doncaster http://sarahfarnsworth.zenfolio.com/