An improving horse last season, winning three of his four starts including a competitive class two handicap at York, Zabeel Prince continued his progression in fine style with a two and half-length success over Born To Be Alive on his first start at stakes level. 

In particularly testing conditions, even accounting for the time of year, Zabeel Prince was forced into making his own running under Andrea Atzeni as the field of six went a sensible gallop through the first half of the contest.

Travelling best approaching the final two furlongs, Zabeel Prince was held together nicely by Andrea and despite Born To Be Alive threatening to make a serious challenge as the tempo lifted, Zabeel Prince soon asserted and hit the line powerfully to complete a thoroughly satisfactory seasonal reappearance.

A 325,000 guineas purchase from the December Yearling Sale at Tattersalls, Zabeel Prince is a Lope de Vega half-brother to Australia Group 2 winner Puissance De Lune and on this evidence he looks perfectly capable of emulating his sibling by winning at Pattern level.

Roger said: “Sheikh Mohammed Obaid has shown great patience with Zabeel Prince and I am pleased the horse is beginning to reward that on the racecourse. He was fit enough for this reappearance, but he will improve for the run, and he has now earned a tilt at Group level. This is his trip and he is an exciting horse for the year ahead.”