Monday 8 June 2020
Gilltown Stud sire SEA THE STARS enjoyed a fine first weekend following the return of British racing, celebrating a Stakes double thanks to his daughters MISS YODA and TEREBELLUM, while Aga Khan Studs-bred dams were in the limelight with Marie’s Diamond and Classic hope Gold Trip.
Sire of Epsom Classic winners Harzand and Taghrooda, SEA THE STARS is likely to be represented in this year’s Oaks by MISS YODA. The filly stamped her Classic credentials when staying on well to lift the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial on Friday, her seasonal debut. MISS YODA now counts three wins and a second place in the Group 3 Zetland Stakes from just four outings and John Gosden’s charge could now head for the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot before an Oaks date. By SEA THE STARS, MISS YODA was bred by Gestüt Etzan out of the Sholokhov mare Monami, a dual Group winner in Germany. She realized the top price of the BBAG Yearling Sale when selling for €280,000 to Blandford Bloodstock and now races in the colours of Westerberg.
The Arc winning stallion was also represented by TEREBELLUM, who collected her second Group 2 title in impressive style in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket, after taking the Prix de la Nonette last summer at Deauville. Bred by Alan O’Flynn and owned by Godolphin, the four-year-old daughter of SEA THE STARS and Group 3 winner Marvada (Elusive City) was bought as a yearling for €400,000 from Grove Stud at Arqana’s August Sale. TEREBELLUM will now step up to Group 1 company with the Pretty Polly Stakes and the Prix Jean Romanet possible forthcoming targets.
The quality of Aga Khan Studs maternal lines was highlighted at Newmarket thanks to the performance of Marie’s Diamond. The tough colt secured a third black-type success when taking the Listed Paradise Stakes by four and a quarter lengths. Marie’s Diamond (Footstepsinthesand) is out of winning mare Sindiyma (Kalanisi), a full-sister to Stakes winner Sindirana and closely related to Sinndar. She was purchased for €20,000 by Tony Ashley at Goffs Breeding Stock Sale.
In France, Gold Trip (Outstrip), a son of Aga Khan Studs-bred Sarvana (Dubai Destination), earned his ticket for the Prix du Jockey Club with a decisive victory in the Gr.2 Prix Greffulhe. His dam was sold for €23,000 to Breizh Bloodsotck on behalf of Gold Trip’s breeder, Michel Monfort, at Arqana’s Breeding Stock Sale in 2013. She is a half-sister to Group 3 victor Sarkiyla and has already produced black-type performer Got Wind.
Updated on 08/06/2020.
