Balmont Mast Sails Ahead
Balmont Mast, a son of Lynward Park’s Group 1 winning sprinter Balmont, won the Listed Testimonial Stakes (six furlongs) at the Curragh in Ireland yesterday. (October 13)
The five-year-old settled at the tail and stormed home under champion jockey Johnny Murtagh to score by 3/4-length from Angels Will Fall (by Acclamation) and Red Dubawi (by Dubawi).
Balmont Mast started 5/2 equal favourite with the Aidan O’Brien trained Cristoforo Colombo who finished seventh.
The English Racing Post reported: ‘Top notch Balmont Mast was ultimately impressive finding another gear deep inside the last furlong to win quite cosily.”
Trainer Eddie Lynam said Balmont Mast was one of four runners he could have in next weekend’s Champions Sprint at Ascot in England.
“We’ll see what the ground is like before making any plans for him,” said Lynam. “But really it’s all about next year’s Golden Shaheen in Dubai.”
Balmont Mast went to this year’s Dubai carnival after winning the Listed Mercury Stakes (five furlongs) in Ireland.
He finished second in the Meydan Trophy, third in the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal and second in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen, which were all over six-furlongs and were all won by Reynaldothewizard.
Balmont Mast was then flown to Singapore where he ran fourth to Lucky Nine in the Group 1 Krisflyer International Sprint (six furlongs) at Kranji.
. Lynam had a big weekend with Balmont’s stock when two-year-old Caso Do Lago won the Crown Plaza Nursery (seven furlongs) at Dundalk. Balmont Mast is from Corn Futures, by Nomination, and Caso Do Lago is from Dashai, by Kyllachy.
