By Brian Sheerin
Jessica Harrington has never won the Derby but that could change this season judging by the performance Sprewell (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) posted in winning a key trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Sent to post an 8-1 shot for the Group 3 Derby Trial S., Sprewell travelled into the race better than anything under Shane Foley, and quickened clear to win a cosy three lengths at the winning line.
It was a taking performance from the Churchill colt, owned by Mohamed Khalid Mohamed Abdulrahim, who was cut to 20-1 for Epsom.
Foley said, “He's a very, very good horse. He wouldn't excite you at home and I wasn't sure how he was going but Kate [Harrington, assistant and daughter to Jessica] told me he was fine, ready and not to worry.
“He gave me a proper feel, when I gave him a squeeze he came back underneath me. It was a proper-run race and a good one. He'll be a Derby horse, hopefully. He enjoys that soft ground. There's no reason why he shouldn't go on better ground but he handles it well.”
Favourite Proud And Regal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who had won the G1 Criterium International on his last start as a two-year-old, finished third.
Sprewell becomes the seventh Group winner for his sire and the first of such from five winners for the G1 E.P. Taylor S. heroine and G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up Lahaleeb (Ire) (Redback {GB}). He is also his dam's last known foal.
Lahaleeb is kin to the Listed Masaka S. victrix Precocious Star (Ire) (Bold Fact) while her full-sister Pink Flames (Ire) produced the Listed Copa de Oro Donostia victor and Spanish champion Flanders Flame (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}).
Sprewell's third dam Dancing Debut (GB) (Polar Falcon) has the Listed John Musker S. winner Dancing Partner (GB) (Danzero {Aus}) to her credit. The next dam Exclusive Virtue (Shadeed) is a half-sister the G1 2,000 Guineas hero and sire Entrepreneur (GB) (Sadler's Wells) as well as to the G1 Coronation S. heroine and stakes producer Exclusive (GB) who shares Polar Falcon (Nureyev) as a sire with Dancing Debut and has the G1 Matron S. victrix Echelon (GB) (Danehill) heading her progeny list.
Sunday, Leopardstown, Ireland
DERBY TRIAL S.-G3, €70,000, Leopardstown, 5-7, 3yo, 10fT, 2:15.57, sf/hy.
1–SPREWELL (IRE), 131, c, 3, by Churchill (Ire)
1st Dam: Lahaleeb (Ire) (GISW-Can, MGSW-Eng & G1SP-Ire, $1,013,003), by Redback (GB)
2nd Dam: Flames (GB), by Blushing Flame
3rd Dam: Dancing Debut (GB), by Polar Falcon
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Mohamed Khalid Mohamed Abdulrahim; B-Khalid Abdul Rahaim (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington; J-Shane Foley. €42,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, $61,287. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Up And Under (Fr), 131, c, 3, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Hibiscus (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (220,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 130,000gns RNA Ylg '21 TATOCT; €130,000 2yo '22 ARQMAY). O-Go Racing Ltd; B-Floors Stud Roxburgh Estate Office (FR); T-Joseph O'Brien. €14,000.
3–Proud And Regal (Ire), 131, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Simply Perfect (GB), by Danehill. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Donnacha O'Brien. €7,000.
Margins: 3, 2HF, 1HF. Odds: 8.00, 2.75, 1.50.
Also Ran: Londoner (Ire), Goldenstatewarrior (Ire), Tower Of London (Ire), Mr Lincoln (GB), Mohawk Chief.
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