Lope De Vega's Iberian On Top In The Champagne

Teme Valley and Ballylinch Stud's Iberian (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}–Bella Estrella {Ire}, by High Chaparral {Ire}) backed up a debut success at Newbury in June with a second in last month's G2 Vintage S. at Goodwood and continued on the upgrade with a decisive victory in Saturday's G2 Betfred Champagne S. at Doncaster.

Racing fourth of five behind a modest pace through halfway, the 3-1 chance powered forward inside the final quarter mile to gain a narrow advantage passing the furlong pole and was driven out to easily assert superiority by two lengths from Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}). Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's hitherto undefeated Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) was unable to land a telling blow as the 4-5 favorite and finished 1 1/2 lengths away in third.

“He's a very exciting horse and that was just what the doctor ordered,” commented winning trainer Charlie Hills. “Listening to Tom [Marquand] when he came back, he said he gave him some feel, he's got an electric turn of foot and put the race to bed very well. His work had been unbelievable at home, so we just wanted him to show that on a racecourse and I think he's done that today. He learned plenty at Goodwood, where he was unlucky as he was drawn one, and I think William [Buick] was conscious to teach him how to do things properly. He was probably just a bit far out of his racing ground that day and inexperience caught him out, but he did finish well. The ground is still pretty soft today, but when the ground is quicker I think you'll see a better horse. It will be the [G1] Dewhurst next. He'll get a mile no problem, his dam stayed really well and I don't see why he can't be a [2000] Guineas horse. He's straightforward, with a great attitude, and he's so professional.”

Pedigree Notes

Iberian is the second of four foals and lone first scorer out of Listed Cairn Rouge S. victrix Bella Estrella (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), herself a full-sister to G3 St Simon S. winner and G1 Oaks and G1 Coronation Cup third High Heeled (Ire). High Heeled, a daughter of dual Grade II winner Uncharted Haven (GB) (Turtle Island {Ire}), is also a half-sister to the dam of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and GI E P Taylor S. heroine Just The Judge (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}). The February-foaled bay is full to a yearling colt and half to a weanling colt by No Nay Never.

Champagne Stakes (G2)
1.410 m – 120.000 GBP – for 2yo colts and geldings
Doncaster

Iberian (IRE)
(2C Lope De Vega-Bella Estrella , by High Chaparral)
J :Tom Marquand
T :Charles Hills
O : Teme Valley and @BallylinchStud pic.twitter.com/kN9n4Wx3Cg

— (@WorldRacing1) September 16, 2023

Saturday, Doncaster, Britain
BETFRED CHAMPAGNE S.-G2, £120,000, Doncaster, 9-16, 2yo, c/g, 7f 6yT, 1:27.35, sf.
1–IBERIAN (IRE), 128, c, 2, by Lope De Vega (Ire)
1st Dam: Bella Estrella (Ire) (SW-Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire)
2nd Dam: Uncharted Haven (GB), by Turtle Island (Ire)
3rd Dam: Tochar Ban, by Assert (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (200,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Teme Valley & Ballylinch Stud; B-Ballylinch Stud (IRE); T-Charles Hills; J-Tom Marquand. £71,040. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $143,100. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Sunway (Fr), 128, c, 2, Galiway (GB)–Kensea (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€300,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Guy Pariente Holding, T Lines & Qatar Racing; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-David Menuisier. £26,868.
3–Rosallion (Ire), 128, c, 2, Blue Point (Ire)–Rosaline (Ire), by New Approach (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £13,428.
Margins: 2, 1HF, 3/4. Odds: 3.00, 6.00, 0.80.
Also Ran: Mountain Bear (Ire), Power Mode.