Inspired Neil Callan delivers Mars Landing to another victory in the Bahrain Turf Series

Inspired Neil Callan delivers Mars Landing to another victory in the Bahrain Turf Series
31 December 2021
After being bought out of Sir Michael Stoute’s yard at Tattersalls’ August Sale earlier this year, Mars Landing arrived in Bahrain with a point to prove. Having won his first three races in Bahrain, including two £50,000 Bahrain Turf Series races, he has emphatically answered those questions.

This latest victory, in the Al Dana Cup over 1m 1f (1800m), needed all of Neil Callan’s expertise in the saddle. Callan had positioned his mount just off a steady early gallop that was set by Bond’s Boy but when the pace quickened, the Stan Moore-trained Magical Wish moved alongside Bond’s Boy to close the gap that Callan had eyed up on Mars Landing. Callan didn’t panic and Mars Landing showed acceleration and tenacity to mount a renewed challenge and squeeze through between the early pacesetters. The son of Dark Angel then quickly put the race to bed and win by ¾ length from Magical Wish in second and Zagato back in third.

Mars Landing is trained by Hesham Alhaddad as part of Fawzi Nass’ operation and after the race, Fawzi Nass paid tribute to Callan. He said: “That ride was amazing. John Egan tried to shut the door on him, but he didn’t allow him to do so.”

When asked about the horse’s performance, Nass added: “He couldn’t have done it any better. He’s a fast-improving horse and he showed great battling abilities carrying more weight than his last win. I hope he can progress to another Turf Series race but let’s see what the handicapper does to his rating first!”

Neil Callan is based in Bahrain for the season and retained by His Highness Shaikh Sultan’s Al Mohamediya Racing operation. He said: “I knew there wasn’t going to be a huge amount of pace on the inner track, so I followed Bond’s Boy who I know had speed. We broke quickly and I was happy with my position early but I didn’t want to lose ground switching wide. Magical Wish drifted in on me a bit and the gap was narrowing but he didn’t give up on me and he showed plenty of grit. I had heard plenty of bad stories about Mars Landing’s attitude at Sir Michael Stoute’s but he’s clearly thrived since moving here under different conditions and training methods. The ability has always been there, but it’s just been a case of getting him to enjoy his racing.”

Final Finishing Positions:

Al Dana Cup

  1. Mars Landing
  2. Magical Wish
  3. Zagato
  4. Bond’s Boy
  5. Brains
  6. Howzer Black
  7. La Maquina
  8. Arqoob
  9. Arctic Vega
  10. Mission Boy
  11. Giustino
  12. Pistoletto
  13. Harbour Spirit
  14. Zymyran

Embed interview with Fawzi Nass & Neil Callan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdw5EERyAJ4

Download interview with Fawzi Nass & Neil Callan: https://we.tl/t-Fd3MW6kvIm

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