By Sean Cronin
George Waud's Englemere (Ire) (Goken {Fr}–Ascot Family {Ire}, by Desert Style {Ire}), who finished within eight lengths of the winner when 14th in Royal Ascot's G2 Queen Mary Stakes, ran second in a Sandown nursery last month and made the transition back to stakes company a winning one in Friday's Listed Highclere Thoroughbred Racing St Hugh's Stakes at Newbury.
The 8-1 chance occupied a position at the tail of the larger far-side pack and remained in rear when the field's two groups merged soon after halfway. Making eyecatching progress into contention inside the quarter-mile marker, she launched her challenge passing the furlong pole and was driven out to deny the dual stakes-placed Kaadi (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}) and Listed Prix des Reves d'Or third Kuwaitya (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}) by a neck and a half-length for a career high in a bunch finish.
“She was a cheap buy when she was younger, but has always showed a lot of class at home,” said rider Billy Loughnane. “[Owner] George [Waud] bought her for a little bit more money after she won her [Apr. 30] novice at Catterick. I thought she'd run a little bit better at Royal Ascot, but she was drawn in [stall] one and never got put into the race. They went a nice gallop today, she's got a great cruising speed and it all worked out good for her. She shows a lot of toe and I think she's an out-and-out five-furlong filly.”
Englemere, a £1,000 ThoroughBid November Online yearling, is the 12th of 13 foals and second black-type scorer from five winners out of Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles victrix Ascot Family (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}). Ascot Family is a half-sister to the dual Group 2-placed Listed Scarbrough Stakes victrix Flanders (Ire) (Common Grounds {GB}) and to the dam of G1 Diamond Jubilee and G1 July Cup-winning sire Lethal Force (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Descendants of Flanders include G1 Haydock Sprint Cup-winning sire G Force (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Flotilla (Fr) (Mizzen Mast) and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Mangoustine (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}). The February-foaled bay is a half-sister to dual Group-winning G1 Prix Morny runner-up Family One (Fr) (Dubai Destination), Listed Premio Eupili second Modern Family (Fr) (Excellent Art {GB}), a yearling colt by Acclamation (GB) and to the unraced dam of Listed Prix Nureyev victor and G2 Prix Niel runner-up Lassaut (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}).
Quick-fire double for @loughnane_billy and @gbougheyracing! Englemere keeps to the task well at @NewburyRacing… pic.twitter.com/DpaRnqL8dI
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 16, 2024
Friday, Newbury, Britain
HIGHCLERE THOROUGHBRED RACING ST HUGH'S STAKES-Listed, £45,000, Newbury, 8-16, 2yo, f, 5f 34yT, 1:00.32, gd.
1–ENGLEMERE (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Goken (Fr)
1st Dam: Ascot Family (Ire) (SW-Fr, $124,389), by Desert Style (Ire)
2nd Dam: Family At War, by Explodent
3rd Dam: Sometimes Perfect, by Bold Bidder
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (£1,000 Ylg '23 TBIDOL). O-George Waud; B-Kildaragh Stud (IRE); T-George Boughey; J-Billy Loughnane. £25,520. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, $70,796. *1/2 to Family One (Fr) (Dubai Destination), MGSW & G1SP-Fr, $508,247; and Modern Family (Fr) (Excellent Art {GB}), SP-Ity.
2–Kaadi (Ire), 128, f, 2, Soldier's Call (GB)–Ruby Girl (Ire), by Fast Company (Ire). (€52,000 Ylg '23 TATIRY). O-Abdulrazaq Mohamdi & Mrs Elaine Burke; B-Brian Miller (IRE); T-Karl Burke. £9,675.
3–Kuwaitya (Ire), 128, f, 2, Soldier's Call (GB)–Smooth Sailing (GB), by Bated Breath (GB). (29,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Refai Alghraiban; B-Ballyhane (IRE); T-Alice Haynes. £4,842.
Margins: NK, HF, 3/4. Odds: 8.00, 6.50, 40.00.
Also Ran: River Seine (Ire), Cressida Wildes (GB), Lady Of Andros (GB), Music History (GB), Amestris (GB), Storm Call (Ire), Violet Love (GB), Adrestia (GB), Cindy Lou Who (GB), I Got Soul (GB). Scratched: Magic Mild (GB).
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