By Emma Berry
NEWMARKET, UK–The hugely consistent producer Mamma Morton (Ire) (Elnadim) was represented by arguably her most exciting offspring to date when her Havana Grey (GB) daughter Mammas Girl (GB) shot to victory along the stands' rail in the G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S.
The decisive win ensured that breeder Robert Cornelius and his father George were all smiles as they raced from the grandstand to watch the replay on the big screen.
“She was never mentioned except to say she was trailing, and then suddenly in the last 100 yards she gets through and then she was going away,” said Cornelius, who is based near Boroughbridge in Yorkshire.
He was understandably full of praise for the veteran Mamma Morton, who was bought on his behalf as a three-year-old by Richard Frisby at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. Bred by Nelson Bunker Hunt, she was placed three times in five starts in Ireland but has more than made up for own lack of success on the racetrack in her second career. From her 12 progeny of racing age, 11 are winners and three have earned black type.
“She's been an amazing mare, truly amazing,” Cornelius added. “She's 19 now and she has a Dandy Man (Ire) yearling colt and an Ardad (Ire) colt foal. She's going to Mohaather (GB) this year. We've mostly gone the speed route with her; she likes a small, fast stallion.”
A former long-term boarder at Whitsbury Manor Stud, Mamma Morton's three stakes performers are all by the farm's stallions, past and present. Master Of War (GB) (Compton Place {GB}) won the Listed Rose Bowl S. before finishing second in both the G2 Richmond S. and G2 Mill Reef S. More recently Life In Colour (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) was placed in last season's Listed Waterford Testimonial S. for Willie McCreery in the colours of Wendy O'Leary. Mammas Girl is now unbeaten in two starts, both on the Rowley Mile, where she will return in a little over a fortnight for the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas to become a first Classic contender for her second-season sire.
“She used to board at Whitsbury and this was the last foal she had there, but she was at Whitsbury for all that time and they did a great job,” said the breeder who added that Mamma Morton, one of only two broodmares he owns, now lives at Copgrove Hall Stud, close to his own home. The famed Yorkshire nursery, previously owned by successful breeders Major Lionel Holliday and Guy Reed, is run by Brian O'Rourke.
He added, “She's only ever had one foal that hasn't won. I'm really hoping for a filly next year.”
Mammas Girl was consigned by WH Bloodstock at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale and bought for £35,000 by Peter and Ross Doyle on behalf of Amo Racing, whose successful day continued with victory in the following race for juvenile Persian Dreamer, a second winner for Calyx (GB).
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