In a thrilling stretch battle, Wathnan Racing's David of Athens and Salem Bin Ghadayer’s Masmak hit the wire in unison, resulting in a dramatic dead-heat in the G3 Jebel Ali Mile on Feb. 15.
It was the first Graded Stakes win for the four-year-old son of Nyquist, who began his career stateside, breaking his maiden in his two-year-old debut at Keeneland.
Ridden by James Doyle, David of Athens sat just off the pace as Masmak went right to the lead to set the pace. Roused by Doyle to challenge in the stretch, David of Athens matched every stride of Masmak through the final furlong, with neither giving an inch. Mount Kosciuszko was just another head back in third.
Bred in Kentucky by Athens Woods LLC, David of Athens is out of Athens Queen, a Stakes-winning daughter of Majestic Warrior. David of Athens was purchased for $70,000 by Ike and Dawn Thrash out of the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale.
David of Athens is the second Graded Stakes winner of 2026 for his sire, Nyquist, joining Knightsbridge, winner of both the G3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes and G3 Mr. Prospector Stakes. Along with that pair, the stallion is represented by the Stakes-winning three-year-old filly, Coffee Connection, winner of the Borderplex Stakes at Sunland Park, and Nysos, a valiant second in the G1 Saudi Cup.
Nyquist is standing the 2026 season at Jonabell Farm for $175,000, stands and nurses.
