By Sean Cronin
Coolmore's Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who hit the board going one mile in his Oct. 3 debut at Newmarket last time, was sharply into stride and led from the outset of Friday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden at Leopardstown. Holding sway throughout the one-mile test, the even-money favourite was shaken up when threatened in early straight and powered clear under continued urging inside the final furlong to prevail by an impressive four lengths from O'Reilly (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), adding 'TDN Rising Star' status into the bargain.
“I fancied him in Newmarket, but he was too green that day,” explained winning rider Seamus Heffernan. “Ryan [Moore] said he liked him and that he'd be very hard to beat next time he ran. He was whinnying going to the start and, as I was going to make the running, I thought [racing with] company is a bit better. When I had company it worked and when I let him go he quickened really well. He's from a good family and he's a good mover. He has a big future.”
Full to MG1SP G2 Sandown Classic victor Southern France (Ire), Bolshoi Ballet is out of an unraced half-sister to MGSP Listed Prix Rose de Mai victress Aubergade (Fr) (Kaldoun {Fr}) and GSW G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Abbatiale (Fr) (Kaldoun {Fr}), whose own black-type descendants include last month's G1 Moyglare Stud S. third Oodnadatta (Ire) (Australia {GB}). The April-foaled bay is also full to the dam of GII Miss Grillo S, third Editor At Large (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and his dam Alta Anna (Fr) (Anabaa) has a weanling filly by No Nay Never to come.
2nd-Leopardstown, €16,500, Mdn, 10-16, 2yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:48.22, yl.
BOLSHOI BALLET (IRE), c, 2, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Alta Anna (Fr), by Anabaa
2nd Dam: Anna Edes (Fr), by Fabulous Dancer
3rd Dam: Abbey (Fr), by Jim French
Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $12,586. O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Lynch-Bages & Rhinestone Bloodstock (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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