Cassie Tully with some two-year-olds to note at Goodwood and Galway today as more top pedigrees take to the track.
It’s Goodwood week, it’s Galway week and although there isn’t the usual Razzmatazz to accompany both, there are some notable juveniles that could potentially be overlooked amongst the excitement of the big anticipated battles. Especially on Tuesday.
There are three Group races for juveniles this week, along with fascinating maidens at both festivals.
And it was a certain Galway Festival maiden last year that was won by this year’s Royal Ascot Coronation Stakes heroine Alpine Star with Irish Derby hero Santiago behind her in second.
So here are some regally bred two-year-olds that must not be missed today.
Goodwood 2.15pm - Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes
The Vintage Stakes has been a stepping stone for a number of past luminaries on their way to future Group One success both on the track and in the breeding shed.
The list includes the likes of Shamardal, Sir Percy, Olympic Glory, Galileo Gold, Highland Reel, and last year’s champion juvenile Pinatubo.
This year the exciting first foal out of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Found, heads the field.
Battlefield won the Chesham Stakes over this distance at Royal Ascot on his second start and not only did his dam win three Group One races including the Arc and Breeders’ Cup Turf, but she placed in 12 other races at the highest level and is a daughter of Matron Stakes winner Red Evie.
Battlefield is then also by War Front. The American sire that has excelled in Europe and who also produced War Decree to win this race in 2016.
Galway 4.45 - Colm Quinn BMW Irish EBF Fillies Maiden
Ballybrit has attracted some royalty for Tuesday’s Galway opener, The Colm Quinn BMW Fillies Maiden.
Favourite Angel Palm was fourth on debut over a month ago at Leopardstown and is by Dark Angel out of the winning mare Palmette.
Palmette is a full-sister to the Group One producing sire Showcasing; also making her a half-sister to another Group One producing sire in Camacho. Which is also the immediate family of multiple Australian Group One scorer Foreteller.
Behind Angel Palm on her debut that day that is also returning here, is a filly that boasts one of the most regally bred pedigrees in existence, Sweet Molly Malone.
She is by American Triple Crown and eight-time Grade One winner, American Pharoah and her mother is Cherry Hinton, a half-sister to Galileo and Sea The Stars.
Cherry Hinton has produced five fillies to date and all five of them have been stakes performers.
That impressive produce record includes Irish Oaks winner Bracelet, Grade One Belmont Oaks winner Athena, Group Two winner Wading (who has herself produced Group One performer in Just Wonderful) and Group Three scorer Goddess.
Sweet Molly Malone is bred to be nothing short of spectacular and is certainly one for the notebook.
If that wasn’t enough for this maiden, Umneyaat is a daughter of Dansili, out of an unraced Teofilo mare who is a half-sister to Group Two winner and St Leger and Royal Ascot Gold Cup-placed Sadler’s Rock, and Investec Oaks-placed Tarfasha.
While Oh So Fine is a Galileo filly out of a full-sister to seven-time Group One winning Champion Rock of Gibraltar.
Champion juveniles? Next year’s champions? Possibly. They certainly all have the necessary bloodlines behind them and these stepping-stones must not be missed either side of the Stradivarius v Santiago showdown today!