Tuesday 15 July 2008
DALAKHANI’s daughter opened her account in style on Sunday at the Curragh when a most courageous winner of the Darley Irish Oaks. Although still a maiden coming into the race, MOONSTONE was sent off favourite on the strength of her creditable second place in the Epsom Oaks ahead of HH Aga Khan’s KATIYRA, who finished fifth in the Irish equivalent. In the Epsom Oaks, MOONSTONE also reversed the placings with both Lush Lashes and Cape Amber who had beaten her in the Gr 3 Musidora Stakes at York, therefore confirming her progressive nature and aptitude for the Classic distance of a mile and a half.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge displayed stamina and courage in abundance in the Irish Oaks. Always handily placed behind the leaders, MOONSTONE took her time to engage top gear but stuck to her task well in the final stages to deny stablemate Ice Queen by a short head in a superb finish.
Chinese White, who is also by DALAKHANI, took fourth place in the Classic.
MOONSTONE went one better than her half-sister L’Ancresse, second in the Irish Oaks before ending her career as runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Another half-sister Cerulean Sky won the Gr 1 Prix Saint-Alary and took second in the EP Taylor Stakes .
MOONSTONE is now to be aimed at the Gr 1 Yorkshire Oaks at York on 21st August.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Jockey-Club hero DALAKHANI will be represented by four yearlings on the Saturday and Sunday sessions of ARQANA’s forthcoming August sale at Deauville.
Updated on 15/07/2008
