By Sean Cronin
Sir Michael Stoute trainee Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}–Jovial {GB}, by Dubawi {Ire}) overcame all manner of traffic problems to attain 'TDN Rising Star' status in Friday's Sri Lanka Jewel Of Asia British EBF Maiden Stakes at Sandown.
Ryan Moore's mount was well away to race in a close-up third for most of this debut. Caught in a pocket along the far-side rail in the straight, the 11-4 joint-favourite was hampered when attempting to move forward approaching the final furlong and quickened smartly once into the clear to edge Centigrade (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) by a short-head, and value for much more, in the dying strides of the seven-furlong contest. Jonquil becomes the 16th Rising Star for Lope De Vega, whose roll of honour includes the multiple Group 1-placed Beauvatier (Fr).
“With it being his first time at the races, we'd have preferred it to be a little bit smoother,” commented assistant trainer James Savage. “Ryan [Moore] said the tempo wasn't that fast and they all came into the race looking for room. He had to show a good bit of grit to get out of there and the way he picked up was very impressive. He's got the right mentality and did everything right. He changes gear, he quickens well and he has the right attitude for a racehorse. Obviously, there's stamina in the pedigree and there's a bit of speed on the dam's side. Hopefully, he's got a nice future.”
Jonquil, half to a weanling filly by Wootton Bassett (GB), is the first of two foals produced by a dual stakes-placed daughter of the multiple Group-placed Listed Cecil Frail Stakes and Listed Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes victrix Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), herself a half-sister to Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Siblings of his dam Jovial (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) include G2 Mill Reef Stakes victor Array (Ire) (No Nay Never), the dual Group 1-placed Maximal (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Coronation Stakes third Jovial (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Jonquil (Lope De Vega) overcomes trouble in running to land the Sri Lanka, Jewel Of Asia @BritishEBF Maiden Stakes for Sir Michael Stoute & Ryan Moore ✅ pic.twitter.com/dph5rmpLzf
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) August 30, 2024
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