Monday 2 September 2024
SEA THE STARS enjoyed three Stakes successes over the weekend, headed by UK-trained three-year-old Bellum Justum, who became his sire’s 78th worldwide Group/Graded winner.
Already a Listed winner and Group placed in his home country, Bellum Justum justified a trip to the USA with victory in the Gr.3 Nashville Derby, picking up a prize of over $1 million in the process. Owned by King Power Racing, he was bred by Rabbah Bloodstock and sold at Tattersalls Book 1 Yearling Sale in 2022 for 375,000gns.
On the same day, Maman Joon won the Violet Stakes at Monmouth Park for owner Amo Racing. Bred by Barnane Stud, the filly is another Tattersalls Book 1 graduate, selling for 400,000gns in 2021.
SEA THE STARS has a strike-rate in excess of 25% Stakes winners to runners in the USA.
In France on Sunday meanwhile, Godolphin homebred Mountain Song became SEA THE STARS’ 132th lifetime Stakes winner, taking the Listed Prix de la Cochère at ParisLongchamp.
SIYOUNI also had a new Stakes winner over the weekend, with three-year-old Topanga picking up her first piece of blacktype in the Listed Fillies Cup at Baden-Baden. A granddaughter of Group 1 winner Timepiece, Topanga was recently sold at the Tattersalls July Sale to Australian owner/breeder Gary Johnson and will head Down Under later this year.
"It was a great performance, said jockey Adrie De Vries. “There was no pace in the race but she travelled well and the gap opened on the inside and she did it very quickly. She has a great turn of foot.
"She was impressive. She moved very well on the ground and quickened well. She can win a Group race here for sure and it is nice to have a winner for Mr [Andrew] Balding and his team."
