Promising Son Of Sioux Nation Returns With A Win

Tuesday saw the highly-rated Dakota Blue (3g Sioux Nation – Sea Goddess, by Galileo) gain a deserved maiden win on his seasonal return at Navan.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained chesnut finished second on debut behind subsequent Group performer Absolute Honour (Saxon Warrior) before finishing fourth to exciting prospect The Lion In Winter.

Narrowly denied on his final juvenile start, the Paul Smith-owned gelding stepped up to ten furlongs in Tuesday maiden and was sent off second favourite under Ben Coen. Settled in midfield, he took closer order four furlongs from home and was pushed along to lead approaching the final furlong, going on to score by a length and a three quarters.

“He had been going well,” Murtagh later reported. “He had a bit of a blow, so hopefully he will improve from that.

“A mile and a quarter is good for him, he likes fast ground - something to look forward to. He might even get a mile and a half. Today was a big day. We wanted to get the day out of the way and it is always nice to win their maiden.”

The son of Sioux Nation was bred by Snowdrop Stud and sold for €300,000 at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale.