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1,900,000 guineas yearling purchase Euphoric made a winning start to his career for trainer Aidan O’Brien at Navan on Wednesday.
Bred by Luca and Sara Cumani at Fittocks Stud in partnership with Arrow Farm and Stud, Euphoric was the second-highest lot at Book 1 of the Tattersalls' October Yearling Sale in 2022. The colt, by Frankel, is out of a Pivotal half-sister to Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Fantasia and Pink Symphony, who produced Grade 1 Man I O'War Stakes winner Highland Chief.
Euphoric did not have the easiest task after being carried right coming out of the stalls and jockey Seamie Heffernan was required to push the colt along in the early stages. He settled in the midfield before making headway with three furlongs to run. The colt showed a lack of experience entering the closing two furlongs and only managed to get up by a short head in front of Rocking Tree at the line.
"He's babyish, but he's off to a good start. It's hard for any of our horses to win first time out. The ones who do usually progress into Group horses so hopefully he will too," said jockey Seamie Heffernan.
"I wanted to get him organised, get him balanced and then get him going and see what was there. I'm happy he won.
"He's well-bred and his heart is in the right place, so hopefully he keeps on improving."
Aidan O'Brien's stable representative, Chris Armstrong said: "He was just ready to start and he's a lovely colt to look forward to.
"He's still a bit of a baby, it was great to get him out at this time of year and he's one to look forward to for next year.
"He'll be a lovely mile-and-a-quarter, middle-distance horse. It's grand to get him started, one run into him at least at two, and we'll see how he progresses between now and the end of the year.
"He has still a bit to go mentally and physically."