By Sean Cronin
Sir Michael Stoute, who announced his impending retirement earlier in the day, was very much in business-as-usual mode as 'TDN Rising Star' Formal (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}–Veracious {GB}, by Frankel {GB}) added to her impressive debut success at Newbury in July with an equally taking 2 1/2-length tally in Tuesday's British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Leicester.
3rd-Leicester, £9,000, Nov, 9-10, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:29.82, sf.
FORMAL (GB) (f, 2, Dubawi {Ire}–Veracious {GB} {G1SW-Eng, $597,607}, by Frankel {GB}), who attained 'TDN Rising Star' status in her July 25 debut over this distance at Newbury last time, was swiftly into stride and bounded along on the front end from flagfall here. Quickening clear of toiling rivals approaching the final furlong, the 8-13 favourite was untroubled in the closing stages and kept on strongly to easily account for Starlit Spice (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) by 2 1/2 lengths. “That was impressive and Ryan [Moore] was very taken with her,” commented Cheveley Park Stud's Chris Richardson. “I was a little bit concerned about the [soft] ground as the ground had changed [from good-to-soft], but I think it very appropriate on such a day. She handled the [good-to-firm] ground at Newbury and her class was certainly in evidence this afternoon. We have much to look forward to and we'll discuss options with Sir Michael [Stoute] and [owner] Patricia Thompson. It's a really poignant day and I'm just thrilled Formal has won so nicely.” Formal is the first of three foals produced by G1 Falmouth Stakes heroine Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}), herself out of dual Group 1-placed G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes victrix Infallible (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). Infallible is also the dam of dual G2 Summer Mile-winning G1 International, G1 Queen Anne Stakes and GI Woodbine Mile placegetter Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and G3 Prix de Flore victrix Intimation (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The February-foaled homebred bay is full to a yearling colt and half to a weanling colt by Kingman (GB). Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $14,523.
O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute.
Formal looks impressive in the British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes with Ryan Moore onboard!
An excellent result for Sir Michael Stoute who announced his retirement earlier today! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/aXW3EYQF4j
— Leicester Racecourse (@LeicesterRaces) September 10, 2024
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