By Sean Cronin
Aidan O'Brien trainee Surpass (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}–Blending {GB}, by Medicean {GB}) shaped with promise when getting up late to snag his May 29 debut at Tipperary by a neck and returned to the Limerick Junction venue to attain 'TDN Rising Star' status with a powerful display in Wednesday's Glenvale Stud Race over an extended seven furlongs.
The G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes entry, racing under a three-pound penalty, jumped out in second and was the nearest pursuer of the clear leader through halfway. Looming large going ominously well passing the quarter-mile pole, the 4-9 favourite quickened in style to hit the front approaching the final furlong and surged clear under mild coaxing to easily outclass Dakota Blue (Fr) (Sioux Nation) by an impressive three lengths.
“He's a nice horse and has had two nice runs here,” said Ryan Moore. “He's impressed me both times and hopefully he has a nice future. He's very comfortable on that [good-to-firm] ground.”
Surpass, who becomes his sire's first Rising Star, is the third of five foals and one of two scorers out of a winning half-sister to G3 Musidora Stakes third Ricetta (GB) (Camelot {GB}) and Listed Prix de Pontarme runner-up Spanish Intent (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). His second dam Panzanella (GB) (Dansili {GB}), a daughter of G1 Poul d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Zenda (GB) (Zamindar), is kin to four stakes performers headed by four-time Group 1-winning sire Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The February-foaled bay is half to a yearling colt by Australia (GB) and a weanling colt by Ghaiyyath (Ire).
4th-Tipperary, €20,000, Cond, 7-3, 2yo, 7f 100yT, 1:39.28, g/f.
SURPASS (IRE), c, 2, by Saxon Warrior (Jpn)
1st Dam: Blending (GB), by Medicean (GB)
2nd Dam: Panzanella (GB), by Dansili (GB)
3rd Dam: Zenda (GB), by Zamindar
Sales history: 240,000gns Wlg '22 TADEWE. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $20,582. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-James Wigan (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore.
Surpass (Saxon Warrior) makes it two from two and there's surely plenty more to come from this exciting two-year-old for Ryan Moore, Aidan O'Brien and @Ballydoyle @tipperaryraces pic.twitter.com/AYHiETvQNK
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 3, 2024
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