By Sean Cronin
Godolphin homebred Devoted Queen (GB) (Kingman {GB}–Fintry {Ire}, by Shamardal) registered victories over seven furlongs at Newmarket in October and over one mile at Kempton in April and maintained her umblemished record, racing in a first-time hood, with a two-length tally in Friday's Listed Sky Bet Michael Seely Memorial at York.
Employing patient tactics towards the rear through halfway, she made smooth headway into contention approaching the final quarter-mile and kept on powerfully under late urging to win, going away, by two lengths from Spiritual (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) for a career high.
“She's really grown up, she was very professional and that was really nice,” said assistant trainer Alex Merriam. “The hood definitely helped and Will [Buick] said she's really improved from her last run, so she's going the right way. I mentioned the [G1] Coronation to Charlie [Appleby] and he said 'see what Will thinks'. Will said it's definitely something to consider and we'll see how she comes out of it. He also mentioned that she could do with a bit of juice in the ground, so that might come into consideration as well. She's doing everything the right way round and, watching her there, you'd stick to the mile for now.”
Devoted Queen is the fourth foal and scorer, and becomes the second stakes winner, out of the multiple Group-winning G1 Sun Chariot S. third Fintry (Ire) (Shamardal), herself a half-sister to G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein runner-up Lochinver (Kingmambo) and the dual stakes-placed Cross Fell (Cherokee Run). Fintry is the leading performer out of G3 Prix Vanteaux victrix and GI Garden City Breeders' Cup H. third Campsie Fells (UAE) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). The February-foaled bay is a half-sister to G3 Autumn S. victor and G1 Futurity Trophy runner-up One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Masar (Ire).
Thursday, York, Britain
SKY BET FILLIES' S. (MICHAEL SEELY MEMORIAL S.)-Listed, £70,000, York, 5-17, 3yo, f, 7f 192yT, 1:38.04, gd.
1–DEVOTED QUEEN (GB), 128, f, 3, by Kingman (GB)
1st Dam: Fintry (Ire) (MGSW-Fr, GSW & G1SP-Eng, $327,127), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Campsie Fells (UAE), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
3rd Dam: Queen's View (Fr), by Lomond
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £39,697. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $76,412. *1/2 to One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), GSW & G1SP-Eng, GSP-UAE, $170,214.
2–Spiritual (Ire), 128, f, 3, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Wild Irish Rose (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€280,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-George Strawbridge; B-Ballylinch Stud (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden. £15,050.
3–Bolsena (Ire), 128, f, 3, Kingman (GB)–Reem Three (GB), by Mark of Esteem (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Kevin Ryan. £7,532.
Margins: 2, HD, NK. Odds: 3.00, 7.50, 6.00.
Also Ran: Bright Thunder (Ire), Glimpsed (GB), Bellarchi (Ire), Carolina Reaper (GB), True Cyan (Ire), Zenjabeela (GB).
@godolphin's Kingman filly cranks up the revs when it matters in the Michael Seely Memorial Fillies' Stakes @yorkracecourse
She's now unbeaten in three and looks a top candidate for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot @SkyBet pic.twitter.com/ajkHgbZ41z
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 17, 2024
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