By Daithi Harvey
Trainer Sheila Lavery has tasted Group success as an owner when the Eddie Lynam trained Viztoria (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) carried her colours to victory in the G2 Park S. at Doncaster in 2013 and Lavery is hoping she may now have care of a filly of similar calibre in Lady Kaya (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). The 2-year-old built on an encouraging second on debut at The Curragh in June to demolish her opponents by ten lengths in a fillies race back at The Curragh Aug. 12. That visually impressive display had 'stakes filly' written all over it and the only concern that Lavery had was would her owner be able to resist the inevitable big offers that would come for a filly with her profile. That concern has not been realised and Lavery is pleased to report Lady Kaya is still in her care and readying for a step up in class. “She's come out of the race very well and the owners are going to hold on to her, which is obviously great for me,” she said. “My niece [Joanne] owns her and I didn't get involved in the decision. I told her there had been interest, but they're holding onto her. The plan at the moment is to go back to the Curragh for the Debutante Stakes [Aug. 26]. It will be big step up but it looks the obvious progression as she's won at the Curragh over seven furlongs and timescale-wise it fits in well,” she added.
Regardless of what else Lady Kaya achieves on the track she was well bought by her owner for only €15,000 as a foal in Goffs. Offered the next year at Tattersalls Ireland's September Yearling Sale she failed to capture the attention of the masses and was wisely retained by her vendor for €12,000.
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