By Heather Anderson
Several challengers for the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday have already grasped that brass ring, with Group 1 winners Fallen Angel and Opera Singer both entered. Blueblooded homebreds include a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner and top-level sire The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}). Vespertilio, third in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, also returns on short rest.
A LILAC ROLLA (IRE)
Harry Angel (Ire)–Mejala (Ire) (Red Ransom)
Sales info: Offered by Castledillon Stud, the bay was picked up for €40,000 out of the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale by Amanda Skiffington.
Pedigree/form notes: Flawless in three starts including the G3 Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” S., the John Cullinan-bred is the eighth foal out of her winning dam. The half-sister to the stakes-placed Mutaaqb (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is from the same clan as two-time G1 Jebel Hatta winner Alfareeq (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).
ALPHERATZ (IRE)
Phoenix Of Spain (Ire)–Rosie Scot (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire})
Sales info: Part of breeder Lynn Lodge Stud's draft to the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale, she sold for 15,000gns to Crampscastle Bloodstock.
Pedigree/form notes: Placed in the G3 Park Express S. in March, this filly won over a mile at Killarney on May 14. The second foal and winner for her unraced dam, this relation to G3 Chester Vase S. winner Arrest (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), second in the G1 St Leger, will have no issues with the trip. Her sire, who has his first crop of 3-year-olds, already fielded the G1 QIPCO 2,000 Guineas third Haatem (Ire) at Newmarket.
AZADA (IRE)
Siyouni (Fr)–Azmiyna (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})
Pedigree/form notes: This Aga Khan homebred is a winner of her only start, a Leopardstown maiden last October where she was named a 'TDN Rising Star'. Her half-brother, The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), was a champion in Australia and a five-time Group 1 winner there before siring a trio of Group 1-winning fillies this season Down Under. Star older horse Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift) is under the second dam.
BLUEDRUM (IRE)
Blue Point (Ire)–Drumfad Bay (Ire) (Acclamation {GB})
Pedigree/form notes: Her dam, a stakes winner in Ireland, was second in the G3 Fairy Bridge S., and Bluedrum is her third foal. Although a winner, this Stonethorn Stud homebred found the waters too deep when green in the G3 Athasi S. at the beginning of the month.
BUTTONS (IRE)
Kingman (GB)–Wonder Of Wonders (Kingmambo)
Pedigree/form notes: Bred by the Wonder Of Wonders Syndicate, the bay won her maiden last year and has been seen twice at group level this term, with a third in the G3 Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” S. and a second in the G3 Mutamakina S. to show for it. Her dam was second in the G1 Oaks and third in both the Irish equivalent and G1 Yorkshire Oaks before foaling stakes winner and Irish 1,000 Guineas third So Wonderful to the cover of War Front. Second dam All Too Beautiful (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) is a winner of the G2 Middleton S., second in the G1 Oaks and a full-sister to the immortal Galileo (Ire). There is a precedent of success in this family, and she could surprise.
EVERLASTING (GB)
Kingman (GB)–Could It Be Love (War Front)
Pedigree/form notes: A homebred for the Coolmore partners, the daughter of Irish 1,000 Guineas second Could It Be Love is a half-sister to the smart G3 Kilternan S. hero Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who was placed in the G1 Irish Derby, G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. Out of a half-sister to star American juvenile and top sire Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie), Everlasting ran third in the G3 Salsabil S. at Navan on Apr. 27. However, she could yet show another gear on Sunday.
FALLEN ANGEL (GB)
Too Darn Hot (GB)–Agnes Stewart (Ire) (Lawman (Fr)
Pedigree/form notes: Bred by Branton Court Stud, she is the fourth foal and fourth winner out of Group 2 winner Agnes Stewart, who was also runner-up in the G1 Fillies' Mile. Outstanding at two with wins in the G3 Sweet Solera S. and G1 Moyglare Stud S., the grey knocked off plenty of rust when eighth to Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G1 QIPCO 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. If she returns to form, this half-sister to G3 Stanerra S. bridesmaid Divine Jewel (GB) (Frankel {GB}) could be very dangerous.
FINSCEAL LUAS (IRE)
Camelot (GB)–Finsceal Beo (Ire) (Mr. Greeley)
Pedigree/form notes: Bred and owned by Micheal Ryan, this filly has yet to win in five starts and was soundly beaten in A Lilac Rolla's G3 Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” S. The 11th foal of her illustrious British/Irish 1,000 Guineas-winning dam, herself a half-sister to G2 German 2,000 Guineas winner Frozen Power (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Finsceal Luas is also a half-sister to G2 Beresford S. hero Ol' Man River (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). A victory here would be a shock.
OPERA SINGER
Justify–Liscanna (Ire) (Sadler's Wells)
Pedigree/form notes: Bred by the late Evie Stockwell, this filly is truly bred in the purple, as a half-sister to War Front juvenile top-tier winners Hit It A Bomb and Brave Anna. Her two-time stakes-winning granddam Lahinch (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) also foaled G1 Oaks second Ennistymon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Missing since her five-length tour-de-force in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac in Paris on Oct. 1, this daughter of G3 Ballyogan S. heroine Liscanna looms as one of the picks.
PEARLS AND RUBIES
No Nay Never–Diamondsandrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus})
Pedigree/form notes: Part of the Premier Bloodstock breeding programme, this daughter of Diamondsandrubies found only Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Carvaggio) too good in the G1 Cheveley Park S. last September and will be trying a mile for the first time in her career. Her dam scored a popular win in the G1 Pretty Polly S., and her older half-sister by War Front, Diamond Sparkles, was placed in the GIII Ontario Colleen S. A granddaughter of G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Quarter Moon (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) who also placed in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Pearls And Rubies also counts blue hen and 2003 Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Yesterday (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) in her family. If the cards fall just right, she is in the frame.
PURPLE LILY (IRE)
Calyx (GB)–Boca Raton (Ire) (Approve {Ire})
Sales info: Part of Woodford Stud's draft to the Goffs November Foal Sale, she brought €17,500 on the bid of Masterly Bloodstock. Sent through the Tattersalls Ireland September ring by Lissglen Stables, Paragon Bloodstock parted with €24,000 to acquire the B O'Neill-bred filly. She changed hands yet again for €155,000 when consigned by Chasefield Stables at the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale, when selected by Avenue Bloodstock.
Pedigree/form notes: This 'TDN Rising Star' finished only a half-length behind Ezeliya (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G3 Salsabil S. at the end of April. The trip should present no issues, and she could run big on Sunday.
QUEEN OF THUNDER (IRE)
Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Skill Set (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire})
Sales info: Lodge Park Stud bred the chestnut, who joined the Rabbah Bloodstock fold for €340,000 as a Goffs Orby yearling.
Pedigree/form notes: This is the family of G2 Prix de Sandringham heroine and G1 Falmouth S. third Baqah (Ire) (Bahhare), who foaled GI Gulfstream Park Turf H. hero Almanaar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Yet to win, this filly placed in both runs, although she hasn't graced the racecourse in 2024. Sunday is a tall order.
SKELLET (IRE)
Kingman (GB)–Dane Street (Street Cry {Ire})
Pedigree/form notes: This 'TDN Rising Star' was bred by Airlie Stud and Sonia Rogers and races for the latter and her son Anthony Rogers. Well-related as a half-sister to a pair of stakes winners and the group-placed dam of GI Belmont Oaks heroine Aspen Grove (Ire) (Justify), Skellet's best sibling is the G1 Moyglare Stud S. scorer Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy). G1 Dewhurst S.-winning sire Intense Focus (Giant's Causeway) is a half-sister to her dam. Second by only a neck in the G3 Oh So Sharp S., she is aiming to improve in this 3-year-old bow. Seems a tough ask.
VESPERTILIO (FR)
Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Prudente (Fr) (Dansili {GB})
Sales info: Breeder Ecurie des Monceaux offered this filly at the Arqana August Sale, and she was knocked down for €320,000 to Al Shira'aa Racing.
Pedigree/form notes: Even if Vespertilio never runs another race, her value as a broodmare is assured, as her female family features top-liners Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). She broke her maiden in the G2 Debutante S., ran Fallen Angel to 1 1/4 lengths in the G1 Moyglare Stud S., and was third to Rouhiya (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. Back for another crack at a Classic, the bay will be in the mix late.
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