By Sean Cronin
Rockcliffe Stud's Listed Empress Stakes victrix Celandine (GB) (Kingman {GB}–Pepita {Ire}, by Sir Prancealot {Ire}), who collected minor prizes in last month's G2 Prix Robert Papin and G3 Molecomb Stakes, regained the winning thread with a pillar-to-post victory in Thursday's G2 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York.
The 13-2 chance broke sharply and seized an immediate lead in this six-furlong 2-year-old contest. Holding a slender advantage throughout, she came under pressure soon after passing the quarter-mile marker and was ridden out inside the final furlong to hold the late charge of Time For Sandals (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}) by a neck for a career high. Wathnan Racing's Leovanni (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), lumbered with a three-pound penalty for her G2 Queen Mary Stakes success, made late headway to finish 1 1/2 lengths back in third, a half-length in front of Aidan O'Brien trainee Heavens Gate (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}).
Celandine blossoms on the Knavesmire!
The Kingman filly is quick and tough and makes all in the Group 2 @SkyBet Lowther Stakes for @TomMarquand, @edwalkerracing and Rockcliffe Stud pic.twitter.com/tMKTZTSWKp
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 22, 2024
Pedigree Notes
Celandine is the third of five foals and one of two scorers from as many runners out of Listed Maggie Dickson Stakes victrix and G3 Summer Stakes third Pepita (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), herself kin to three black-type performers headed by stakes-winning G1 Criterium International third Redolent (Ire) (Redback {GB}). Descendants of her second dam Esterlina (Ire) (Highest Honor {Fr}) include G1 Flying Five runner-up Son Of Rest (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and G2 Gimcrack Stakes second Johannes Brahms (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). The March-foaled homebred bay, who hails from the family of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Forest Flower (Green Forest), is full to a yearling colt and half to a weanling filly by Starspangledbanner (Aus).
Thursday, York, Britain
SKY BET LOWTHER STAKES-G2, £250,000, York, 8-22, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:10.77, g/f.
1–CELANDINE (GB), 128, f, 2, by Kingman (GB)
1st Dam: Pepita (Ire) (SW & GSP-Eng), by Sir Prancealot (Ire)
2nd Dam: Esterlina (Ire), by Highest Honor (Fr)
3rd Dam: Shaquick, by Shadeed
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Rockcliffe Stud (GB); T-Ed Walker; J-Tom Marquand. £141,775. Lifetime Record: GSP-Fr, 6-3-0-1, $238,729. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Time For Sandals (Ire), 128, f, 2, Sands Of Mali (Fr)–Days Of Summer (Ire), by Bachelor Duke. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€35,000 Ylg '23 TATIRY). O-D Bevan & Mrs D Bevan; B-Ballyhane (IRE); T-Harry Eustace. £53,750.
3–Leovanni (Ire), 131, f, 2, Kodi Bear (Ire)–Kassandra (Ire), by Dandy Man (Ire). (20,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT; £190,000 2yo '24 GOUKB). O-Wathnan Racing; B-KCS Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Karl Burke. £26,900.
Margins: NK, 1HF, HF. Odds: 6.50, 10.00, 3.00.
Also Ran: Heavens Gate (Ire), Perfect Part (Ire), Miss Lamai (Ire), Tales Of The Heart (Ire), Betty Clover (GB), Unspoken Love (Ire).
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