Horse Racing Pedigree Focus: Luxembourg


Each week Timeform’s John Ingles looks at the pedigree of a winning newcomer which has the potential to earn some Black Type.


This is the first Pedigree Focus since the Newmarket July meeting where Native Trail, a Pedigree Focus horse after an impressive debut at Sandown, won the Group 2 Superlative Stakes on his second start. That puts him in second place in most lists for next year’s 2000 Guineas behind fellow Pedigree Focus horse Point Lonsdale, winner of the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

This week’s pick, LUXEMBOURG (Timeform rating 88p), earned 2000 Guineas quotes in places himself after his successful debut at Killarney last Wednesday. The County Kerry track might not be the most obvious place to look for future stars making their debuts, though Luxembourg’s trainer Aidan O’Brien introduced recent Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Broome there at the corresponding meeting three years ago – he finished fifth to stablemate Anthony Van Dyck, himself the future Derby winner.

Luxembourg’s race was part of the Irish EBF Median Sires Series, a mile contest restricted to the offspring of sires whose yearlings’ median price last year was not more than €75,000. Luxembourg qualified as a son of Camelot, though he sold for quite a bit more than his sire’s median himself, making 150,000 guineas at Tattersalls last October.

Sent off the 5/2 favourite as one of only two newcomers in the field of eight, Luxembourg had to overcome greenness to make a winning debut but did so in the manner of a potentially smart colt. Having to come wide to make his run in the straight, Luxembourg stayed on to lead well inside the final furlong and was well on top in beating Tuwaiq, who had won his only start, by two and a quarter lengths.

Watch a full replay for this race - and it's FREE
Watch a full replay for this race - and it's FREE

Luxembourg is a fourth winner for his dam Attire who was a fair maiden in Ireland at seven furlongs and a mile. The best of Luxembourg’s siblings is Leo de Fury (current Timeform rating 117), winner of the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh last season for Jessica Harrington. Luxembourg’s three-year-old half-sister Sense of Style contested the Irish 1000 Guineas and has been placed in Listed company.

Attire’s brother Forgotten Voice won the Royal Hunt Cup when with Jeremy Noseda and later did well for Nicky Henderson under both codes, winning the Wolferton Handicap back at Royal Ascot and the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood. Further back it’s the well-known ‘A’ family of the Wildensteins which includes Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Arcangues and Prix de Diane winner Aquarelliste, as well as the Godolphin 1000 Guineas winner Cape Verdi.

Luxembourg currently holds entries at the Curragh in the Futurity Stakes and National Stakes, though as a mile winner already he has the option of autumn two-year-old races over that trip as well. Either way, he looks one to follow.


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