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- if ti§%and II ► Ireland Valerullah Irish Hope for Derby By TIM A. VIGORS— Dublin Correspondent, Daily Racing Form DUBLIN, Ireland. — The defeat at Salisbury of the 1,000 Guineas winner Festoon, by Joe McGraths promising three-year-old colt, colt, Valerullah, Valerullah, has has colt, colt, Valerullah, Valerullah, has has added considerably to Irelands interest in the English Derby. Mc-Grath, who won the 1951 Derby with Arctic Prince, bought Valerullah at the Doncaster yearling sales for 9,-500 from his breeder, Frank Tuthill. Valerullah is by Nasrullah out Of Painted Vale and is, therefore, inerexore, an an own uwii therefore, inerexore, an an own uwii brother to 1,000 Guineas and Oaks winner, Musidora. We remember-taking A. B. Hancock, Jr., to see this colt when he was a foal as a result of which a very substantial bid was passed but turned down by Tuthill, who expressed his unwillingness to sell before the yearling sales at any price whatsoever. The chief principals in this story are closely associated, for it was the elder Hancock who purchased Valerullahs sire from Joe McGrath the year Musidora won the Oaks. Valerullah did not run as a two-year-old, but had two previous races this year prior to his victory in both of which he finished out of the money. His smooth defeat of Festoon has brought him right into the Derby picture in a year when most of the big guns have been disgracing themselves. The 1,000 Guineas winner was giving 16 pounds to the winner, but, nevertheless, the style of Valerullahs victory caused a rush ofmoney for him for the big race. McGrath has a useful second string to his bow in the Derby in the shape of Cloon-roughah, who disposed of useful opposition in his only race this year. In fact, we hear that should there be heavy rain the night before the race this son of Solar Slipper will go down to the post with more confidence behind him than his stable companion. Cloonroughan is the first foal of Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Morning Wings, whose half-brothers and sisters Good Morning, Grand Weather and Morning Madam all won Irish classic races. Both Valerullah and Cloonroughan were bred in Ireland but are now trained by Willie Stephenson at Roys-ton near Newmarket. Following the announcement earlier in the year that the Aga Khan would sell some of the cream of his bloodstock at public auction, Major Cyril Hall has given us a list of yearlings and mares to be sold this year. All the yearling colts „ are due to come under the hammer either at Saratoga, Newmarket or Dublin. During the last two years, the Aga Khan has sold some top yearlings at Saratoga, but has kept many for his own racing purposes. This year, the colts bound for Saratoga include some of the best breeding in the world. At present, it is planned that a gigantic airlift will take 20 colts and four fillies to Saratoga. The colts have been specially selected for their suitability to American conditions. It is a difficult task to make a selection from such a galaxy of talent. Obviously, the bay colt by Tudor Minstrel out of Neocracy will attract much attention as he is a half-brother to Tulyar, the record European stake winner of all time. Again, the bay colt by Royal Charger out of Clovelly, on looks and pedigree, should be a high price yearling and a good race horse. Clovelly, who is by Mahmoud, has already produced seven winners. There are two colts by Nearco, one of which is an own brother to Masaka, who won both the English and Irish Oaks. Palestine, a sire as yet unfamiliar to American buyers, is represented by three colts out of high class mares. We believe that Palestine could prove a very great sire of winners on both sides of the Atlantic. This son of Fair Trial won 11 stake races, including the 2,000 Guineas, and proved himself a brilliant race horse over all distances up to one mile. His first crop of two-year-olds are running with great promise this year. A new step is being taken by the consignment of a dozen horses in training to the Saratoga sales. These comprise seven three -year-olds and five two-year-olds. Heading the list is Lizanno, a three-year-old Royal Charger colt who is an own brother to Happy Laughter, winner of the 1,000 Guineas last year. Some of the fillies appear excellent broodmare prospects as well as racing mares. In particular, Figina, a three-year-old filly by Continued oh Page Fifty-One * Report From Ireland By TIM A. VIGORS Continued from Page Six Nearco out of Ferry Pool, by Hyperion, looks a sound buy as she has already • won the all important race. No sooner will the stir caused by the Saratoga contingent have died, down than interest will be revived by a contingent of 25 of the Aga Khans best mares arriving for the Keeneland sales. Masaka and Rivaz, two of the most coveted mares in the world, are included in this second great expedition. Masaka, by Nearco out of Majideh, by Mahmoud, won 21,995 pounds in prize money, including the English and Irish Oaks. Her daughter, Bara Bibi, should win next weeks Oaks at Epsom as is anticipated by many experts. Masaka was one of the chosen few to be mated with Tulyar in his first season. Rivaz, by Nearco out of Mumtaz Begum, was a brilliant two -year-old and is furthermore an own sister to Nasrullah. She is also dam of some useful winners, and this season was bred to Migoli. The sires of the other mares include such illustrious names as Mahmoud, Bahram, Hyperion and Fairway. Nearly all of the mares are descendants of the families which have kept the chocolate and green colors of the Aga Khan at the head of European racing for over 25 years. All have been bred to top stallions. Apart from the two mares named there are several close relations of Mahmoud, Nasrullah, Royal Charger and Noor. We believe that the mating of these mares with top American stallions will result in the production of some good race horses. This belief is based on the outstanding success of previous crosses of the Aga Khans bloodlines with good American strains. "Particularly in mind we have the stud careers of such as Blenheim IT, Mahmoud and Nasrullah. From what we hear, Noor 1s likely to follow in their footsteps. We believe that the American descendants of these mares may be even more brilliant than those still in Europe.
