Russian Valour gets second graded win in Norfolk Stakes.
Russian Valour raced comfortably on the lead under jockey Kevin Darley and held off the late-charge of the highly-touted Kheleyf to win the Norfolk Stakes (Eng-III) for 2-year-olds at Royal Ascot Thursday.Russian Valour completed the five-furlong trip in 1:01.37 to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Kheleyf (Green Desert-Society Lady), who was a debut winner at York last time out. Nevisian Lad finished another three-quarters of a length back in third. Russian Lad is trained by Mark Johnston, who also won the Queen Mary Stakes (Eng-III) for 2-year-old fillies Wednesday with Attraction.Owned by Mr. A Latter and Partners, Russian Valour has now won three of five career starts, including the Betfair.com National Stakes at Sandown last time out. He is from the first crop of European champion Fasilyev (Nureyev-Mr. P's Princess) and is the first stakes winner from three foals to race out of the Septieme Ciel mare Vert Val.Russian Valour was bred in Ireland by Gestut Sohrenhof and was RNA'd at the 2002 Tattersalls October yearling sale for $46,152.
