The daughter of Galileo and a half-sister to Gr1 Middle Park Stakes winner Crusade, landed the Irish Oaks on her last start and added another Group One to her haul, producing a powerful surge to overhaul Queen’s Trust at the furlong pole and stretch clear for a commanding two-and-three-quarter lengths victory.
Stablemate Found (2/1 favourite), who was expected to need the run on her return from an absence, travelled well for a long way and came through for second, ahead of Queen’s Trust who confirmed her runner-up spot behind Minding in the Nassau was no fluke.
Sky Bet make the winner 5/1 from 12/1 for the QIPCO Filly & Mares Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot and 16/1 for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp
Winning jockey Colm O’Donoghue said: “These are Ryan’s (Moore) rides, hopefully we’re looking after them for him and he’s getting back soon. She’s a very good filly. She was obviously a Classic winner coming here and was getting the weight allowance from some older fillies, so we made use of it.
“She’s tough and genuine and has a great temperament and a beautiful action. This is what we all work every year for. It’s nice to get the opportunity and to take it.”
O’Brien was thrilled with the performances of both the winner and the second.
He said: “We were delighted with Seventh Heaven at home and Colm gave her a beautiful ride. She came forward lovely from the Curragh and we thought the track and ground and trip would suit her well. The lads will decide what they want to do, but she’s a lot of options. She’s a beautiful traveller and is a massive, rangy filly that handles fast ground very well.
“She has plenty of class and has the option of all those fillies races and there’s the option of the Filly & Mare Turf in America (Breeders’ Cup)) at the end of the year. I’d say she’s going to make a real four-year-old, because she’s big and rangy.”
Crusade’s yearlings have been welcomed at the sales in 2016 and he impressed with the stamp of his individuals which reflected in their impressive sales averages. Crusade stands at Scott Bros for a fee of R20 000 and covered full books in his first three seasons.
Five two year olds are available at the National 2YO Sale taking place 18 and 19 August, consigned below.
visit www.tba.co.za for more information.
| lot | name | sex | sire | dam | stable | vendor |
| 116 | Butchie Boy | c. | Crusade | Reed Dance | C72 | Bush Hill Stud |
| 140 | Grey Halo | c. | Crusade | Silver Halo | F1 | Scott Bros – Highdown Stud |
| 205 | Cristiana | f. | Crusade | Angels Dream | B66 | Piemonte Stud |
| 271 | Jaunita | f. | Crusade | Perakeen | A92 | Kriel Racing Stud |
– extract sportinglife.co.za