By Tom Frary
Coming into Saturday's G3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes at Ayr as the 16-5 favourite having won a decent maiden at Newbury last month, Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy's Sky Majesty (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}–Majestic Alexander {Ire}, by Bushranger {Ire}) continued her steep upward trajectory with a battling success to double her tally. Travelling strongly early settled in mid-pack by Callum Rodriguez, the William Haggas-trained 150,000gns Tattersalls Book 2 graduate worked her way into contention approaching the final furlong and after gaining a narrow advantage hung tough throughout the closing stages for a neck success from Maw Lam (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}).
“She did really well and she had to be really tough,” Haggas said of Sky Majesty, who had beaten the subsequent winner Hold A Dream (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}) on her racecourse bow. “She's come a long way in a short time, she didn't win her first race by far and she hasn't won by far today. She did well because she had no experience against some experienced horses, so it was a very pleasing performance so it was good to see.”
“I actually think a bit more cut in the ground would suit her better too,” he added. “I suspect she'll run again, but there's nothing set in stone, possibly the [G2] Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte [at Chantilly]. That's a Group 2 against the boys, but it might be worth a look on October 12.”
Pedigree Notes
Sky Majesty, who becomes the fourth group winner for her sire, is one of five black-type performers out of the listed-placed Majestic Alexander including last month's Listed Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes winner Democracy Dilemma (Ire) (Cotai Glory {Ire}) and the G3 Prix de Seine-et-Oise runner-up Angel Alexander (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). The second dam Tshusick (GB) (Dancing Brave) also produced five of that type including the triple group 3-winning sprinter Majestic Missile (Ire) (Royal Applause {GB}) and the Listed Woodlands Stakes winner and dual group-placed Santo Padre (Ire) (Elnadim).
Majestic Alexander, who is also a half to the dam of the G1 Jebel Hatta runner-up Eqtiraan (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}), hails from the family of the GI Metropolitan Handicap-winning sire Forzando (GB). Her daughter of Cotai Glory (GB) was a £100,000 purchase by David Evans at last month's Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, while she also has a filly foal by State Of Rest (Ire).
Still unbeaten 🟦⬜️
Sky Majesty, part-owned by @OfficialBHAFC chairman Tony Bloom, makes it 2-2 by landing the Group 3 Firth Of Clyde.@VirginBet | @ayrracecourse pic.twitter.com/RetVainZ3A
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 21, 2024
Saturday, Ayr, Britain
VIRGIN BET EVERY SATURDAY MONEY BACK FIRTH OF CLYDE FILLIES' STAKES-G3, £65,000, Ayr, 9-21, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:08.45, gd.
1–SKY MAJESTY (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Blue Point (Ire)
1st Dam: Majestic Alexander (Ire) (SP-Eng), by Bushranger (Ire)
2nd Dam: Tshusick (GB), by Dancing Brave
3rd Dam: Infanta Real, by Formidable
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (150,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Tony Bloom & Ian McAleavy; B-Mount Armstrong Stud (IRE); T-William Haggas; J-Callum Rodriguez. £36,862. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $55,252. *1/2 to Democracy Dilemma (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), SW-Eng, $255,867; Angel Alexander (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), GSP-Fr, $240,905; Mighty Spirit (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), SP-Eng; and Little Earl (Ire) (Havana Gold {Ire}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Maw Lam (Ire), 128, f, 2, Acclamation (GB)–Bobbi Grace (Ire), by Big Bad Bob (Ire). (€52,000 Wlg '22 GOFNO1; £100,000 Ylg '23 GOFFUK). O-C R Hirst; B-Brickfield Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Adrian Nicholls. £13,975.
3–Grande Marques (Ire), 128, f, 2, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Medicean Star (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-M A Begley (IRE); T-Fozzy Stack. £6,994.
Margins: NK, SHD, 2. Odds: 3.20, 28.00, 7.00.
Also Ran: Englemere (Ire), Stormy Impact (GB), It Ain't Two (GB), Royalty Bay (Ire), Perfect Part (Ire), Ellaria Sand (GB), Li Ban (Ire), Handcuffed (GB), Town And Country (Ire), Guns Firing (Ire).
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