Crusade Galileo Half-Sister Wins Oaks Trial Listed

Scott Bros’ young sire Crusade, saw his Galileo half-sister Seventh Heaven out battle Architecture to win the Betfred Mobile Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield. The Aidan O’Brien-trained winner was sent off the 7-4 favourite for the Listed heat but she made hard work of winning in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Mountain Bell set the gallop but she had no answer as Seventh Heaven and Architecture emerged from in behind to fight out the finish. Moore had to get serious with Seventh Heaven though and while not producing a totally smooth run, the Galileo filly proved a neck too good for her rival.

Moore felt his mount had won despite showing her inexperience on what was the fourth run of her life. He said: ‘She raced pretty greenly the whole way around and she was not comfortable on the ground or the track.

‘She did well to win but she’s a good filly. She would have learnt plenty, things were not right and she still won. She’s a big girl and there’s definitely improvement in her.’

Seventh Heaven runs in the same colours as Minding, who landed the 1000 Guineas for the Coolmore team of Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and John Magnier.

Paul Smith, representing the winning owners, added: ‘She fought well and stayed well, she will have to be in the mix for all the top races now, I think. We seem to have some lovely fillies and she’d be up there in the mix for sure, but I would not say for definite that she goes for the Oaks.

‘Let’s sit down and discuss it, but it would have to be considered as this is a strong trial. She’s a nice, developing filly and she will only improve for it.’

Gr1 Middle Park Stakes winner Crusade recently sold his first 18 yearlings at the National Yearling Sale, where he impressed with the quality and stamp of his progeny – averaging a very impressive R160 000 for each of the 18 yearlings sold. The two top prices were a colt from Clifton Stud for R350 000, and a beautiful grey filly from St Helier Stud for R300 000.

From the dam La Traviata’s first three progeny to date, she has produced Black Type from all three – her first foal being Gr1 winner Crusade, second foal Gr2 placed Cristoforo Columbo (by Henrythenavigator) and thirdly, Seventh Heaven. La Traviata (by Johannesburg) has been sent back twice more to Galileo to be covered in years following.

Crusade, a son of Mr Greeley, stands at Scott Bros for a fee of R20 000.