Flying The Flag Full Sister Rhododendron Captures Gr1 Fillies Mile

The full sister to Bush Hill Stud’s new stallion prospect Flying The Flag, Rhododendron has beaten Hydrangea impressively between three to four lengths in the Gr1 Dubai Fillies Mile at Newmarket this afternoon in firm going, at a course where speed is a necessity to win.

Rhododendron won impressively, coming off them and quickening away in the last two furlongs to an impressive Gr1 victory for her sire Galileo and trainer Aiden O’ Brein, who trained the second horse also by Galileo, Hydrangea – the latter also second in the Gr2 Debutante to Rhododendron.

Warwick Render of Bush Hill Stud commented that Flying The Flag has “a very good book of mares coming to him this season, and the bookings are still coming in – and we are really pleased that he has lots of mares currently in foal!”

The full siblings are by super sire Galileo out of the triple Gr1 winning mare Halfway To Heaven by Pivotal. Rhododendron has won the Gr2 Debutante previously and recently placed third in the Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. It isn’t surprising that Halfway To Heaven visits Galileo once again this coming season.

International globe-trotting Flying The Flag, a big handsome chestnut is a very exciting prospect at stud in South Africa where his immediate family is making their mark at the highest echelons, won the Gr3 International Stakes and placed second in the Gr2 Futurity, with thirds in the London News and Glencairn Stakes respectively.

Rhododendron is now the favourite for the 1000 Guineas next year, over the same course and distance.

Flying The Flag stands for a fee of R20 000 this season at Bush Hill Stud.