3.30 Dundalk, Mdn, 2yo, 8f (AWT)
MAGNA CUM LAUDE (Flightline) is a landmark runner for Ballydoyle, being the first progeny of the brilliant Flightline to run in Europe and represents Coolmore, Westerberg, Brant, Smith and St Elias having cost $950,000 at Keeneland September. A half-brother to the Los Alamitos Futurity runner-up Blacksmith (Liam's Map), he is out of a full-sister to Curlin's San Carlos Stakes winner Cezanne and half to the Falmouth third Arabian Hope (Distorted Humor). Ronan Whelan takes the ride, with Wayne Lordan on the stable's Naas fifth Ile De France (Gun Runner), the first foal out of the Prix Morny, Commonwealth Cup and Queen Mary winner Campanelle (Kodiac), while Jack Cleary partners the yard's newcomer Aachen, another by Gun Runner whose Listed-winning dam Monday (Fastnet Rock) is connected to Misty For Me et al. Adding further spice to this race won in recent times by Pierre Bonnard and Adelaide River is another Coolmore representative in the Donnacha O'Brien-trained Verona Basilica (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), a half-brother to Galileo's Derby hero Serpentine.
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