By Tom Frary
While the key action was taking place at Deauville on Sunday, Britain's Northern track Pontefract delivered something special in its opening six-furlong maiden as the Richard Fahey-trained newcomer Powerful Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}–Wouldntitbelovely {Ire}, by Kodiac {GB}) lived up to his name to earn TDN Rising Star status. Bought for Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum by Blandford Bloodstock for £190,000 at the Goffs UK 2yo Breeze Up, the bay who was bred by the Marnanes tanked his way to the front after the first furlong with Oisin Orr unable to curtail his enthusiasm.
Bounding clear from the home turn, the 10-11 favourite devoured the uphill rise to the line to win empathically by 5 1/2 lengths from the Karl Burke-trained Sands Of Indi (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), with another half length back to the third-placed Dash Dizzy (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the Charlie Johnston-trained half-brother to Sioux Nation.
“He's been showing up nicely at home and he's done that well,” jockey Oisin Orr said. “He was asleep before the race and I just let him roll along.” Fahey added of the G2 the Mill Reef Stakes entry, “He's pretty smart and I would have him as probably my best 2-year-old. It was a good start and Oisin let him slide in front and we know he can gallop.”
Powerful Glory is the second foal and first runner for Wouldntitbelovely, whose family features the high-class sprinter Maarek (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) whose career exploits include eight black-type wins including in the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp, G2 British Champions Sprint Stakes and G2 Duke of York Stakes. It also includes the G2 Gimcrack Stakes, G3 Sirenia Stakes and G3 Craven Stakes-placed Mystery Smiles (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}).
1st-Pontefract, £22,000, Mdn, 8-18, 2yo, 6fT, 1:15.98, g/f.
POWERFUL GLORY (IRE), c, 2, by Cotai Glory (GB)
1st Dam: Wouldntitbelovely (Ire), by Kodiac (GB)
2nd Dam: Geht Fasteur (Ire), by Chineur (Fr)
3rd Dam: Geht Schnell, by Fairy King
(37,000gns Wlg '22 TADEWE; £190,000 2yo '24 GOUKB). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $15,214. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum; B-C Marnane (IRE); T-Richard Fahey.
Impressive debut 🚀
Powerful Glory (Cotai Glory) makes a winning start to his career in the Cure Leukaemia EBF "Newcomers" Maiden Stakes @ponteraces 🟡⚫️@RichardFahey | @OrrOisin pic.twitter.com/TE5YF0iaKd
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 18, 2024
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