Zoar gets off the mark in Naas Zoar (11/10) was a comfortable winner of the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden for rider Chris Hayes. Having switched from trainer Josh Halley after a second-place finish behind subsequent Group 2 winner Mans Best Friend at Naas, the son of No Nay Never, now trained by Donnacha Aidan O'Brien, showed a professional attitude again to get off the mark by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Zoar travelled on the stand side throughout the contest and always looked to be going best. Hayes was able to ease down close to home in what was a comfortable success. Speaking after the race, O’Brien said: “He’s a grand horse. I don’t have him that long and, in fairness to the Halleys, they did a great job with him. “I only did one breeze with him last weekend and it went nicely, so we said we’d come here. He’s a nice horse to get. “I think he’s still a little bit green, he pricked his ears when he got to the front there. “I think he’ll get another furlong, but I’m not convinced he’s going to be a seven-furlong/mile horse. I’d say he’ll probably get quicker as he gets older. “It was a nice performance. I’d imagine we’ll have a look at stakes company next time and see where he stands at that level.” (Quotes from Gary Carson)
