Youmzain (Sinndar) and Moonstone (Dalakhani) both second in Gr 1 Derby meeting contests. Youmzain took a gallant second place in Friday’s Coronation Cup and it looks just a matter of time before the son of Sinndar reaps another Gr 1 reward to add to his Preis von Europa success in 2006. Over the past eleven months the five-year-old entire has now filled the runner-up position in three of Europe’s major all-aged middle distance contests. He found only Dylan Thomas too good in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last July and once again in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. At Longchamp Youmzain was denied by just a head and the margin was once again agonisingly narrow at Epsom where Mick Channon’s charge was unsuited by a lack of pace. He came with a storming late charge but just failed by three quarters of a length to catch the winner Soldier of Fortune, whom he had previously beaten at Longchamp. The ultra-tough Youmzain could next be seen out in the Gr 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Dalakhani came close to Classic glory with his first crop on Friday as Moonstone stayed on well to take second place in the Epsom Oaks. The bay filly, who cost the Magnier/Tabor/Smith partnership 700,000 Guineas as a yearling, was racing for only the third time in her career, having finished fourth in the Musidora Stakes in May and there should be further improvement to come. The mile and a half Oaks trip seemed to suit Moonstone perfectly and she is now to be aimed at the Irish Oaks on 13th July.

Updated on 09/06/2008