By Tom Frary
Third in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and G3 Albany Stakes, Ballydoyle's Heavens Gate (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}–Itqaan, by Danzig) had a class edge in Monday's Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas and duly collected the valuable prize to return to winning ways. Sent straight to the forefront by Ryan Moore, the 4-6 favourite never looked likely to be caught and hit the line strong with 1 1/4 lengths to spare over Fiery Lucy (GB) (Without Parole {GB}).
“She's a straightforward lovely filly who Ryan has always said could get much further than six–the first time he rode her he said she would get seven or even a mile,” Aidan O'Brien said. “She handles all types of ground and is a big, powerful filly and Ryan said she was idling in front today. She's happy to make her own running and very happy to get a lead. She could slot in anywhere–it's rare to get one as straightforward as she is.”
🚀 Too good
Heavens Gate stamps her class on the €300,000 Ballyhane Stakes at @NaasRacecourse pic.twitter.com/GZTRinzTOu
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 5, 2024
The winner is a granddaughter of Shadwell's dual listed scorer Sarayir (Mr. Prospector) who produced the G1 1,000 Guineas and G1 Coronation Stakes heroine Ghanaati (Giant's Causeway), Danzig's G3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes-winning sire Mawatheeq and the Oaks third Rumoush (Rahy). Ghanaati and Rumoush have proven smart producers, with the former responsible for the triple group 2 winner Mutasaabeq (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and the latter for four black-type performers including by the G3 City of York Stakes winner Talaayeb (GB) (Dansili {GB}).
The winner is currently the last known foal out of Itqaan, a granddaughter of the great producer Height Of Fashion (Fr) (Bustino {GB}) and half to the dams of last year's G3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes winner and G1 Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Alyanaabi (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and the G2 Queen Mary Stakes scorer and 1,000 Guineas-placed Maqaasid (GB) by Danzig's Green Desert.
6th-Naas, €300,000, Cond, 8-5, 2yo, 5f 205yT, 1:11.48, yl.
HEAVENS GATE (IRE) (f, 2, Churchill {Ire}–Itqaan, by Danzig) Lifetime Record: MGSP-Eng, 5-2-1-2, $214,288.
O-Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
