By Heather Anderson
In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Marksman Queen at Gulfstream Park.
Dubawi's Marksman Queen Triumphs At Gulfstream
Clayton Park Stud homebred Marksman Queen (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) won on her American debut at Gulfstream on Saturday (video). The Graham Motion trainee had won a pair of novices in the UK between 2022 and 2023 before switching jurisdictions.
Out of GII Lake Place S. and GIII Herecomesthebride S. heroine Sharp Susan (Touch Gold), the 3-year-old filly is a half-sister to three black-type horses led by South African Horse of the Year Oh Susanna (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), who won four times at Grade 1 level there, as well as G3 Star Kingdom S. winner Signore Fox (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), who was third in the G1 Stradbroke H. and G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup. Her latest half-siblings are a 2-year-old filly named Susan The Gentle (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and a yearling colt by Kingman (GB) already christened King Of Narnia (GB). Sharp Susan is a half-sister to GI Donn H. hero and sire Spring At Last (Silver Deputy) and GI Las Virgenes S. victress Sharp Lisa (Dixieland Band). The latter has a pair of stakes winner to her name led by G1 The Metropolitan H. winner Foundry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
The 40th winner from 78 runners (51%) for her Darley sire in the U.S., Marksman Queen is one of three runners from her crop to compete in America. Her sire has 21 American stakes winners led by 10 Grade I winners, among them In Italian (GB).
Ride along with @JockeyCam and @Tyler_Gaff aboard #7 Hola Gata as they get nipped at the wire in Gulfstream Race 4 by @ljlmvel and #5 MARKSMAN QUEEN. @PDJFund
Tune in to @FanDuelTV for exclusive 🏇 racing coverage. pic.twitter.com/2FFqkx9Skg
— TVG (@TVG) December 30, 2023
Repeat Winners
Already a Grade I winner of the Del Mar Oaks, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) doubled her tally at that level in the American Oaks on Boxing Day at Santa Anita (video) for trainer Leonard Powell.
Madaket Stables' Easter (Fr) (Exosphere {Aus}) was in a festive mood and duly added the GII San Gabriel S. to his resume near the end of the month for trainer Phil D'Amato (video).
Romagna Mia (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), a winner of the GIII Dowager S. at Keeneland in the autumn, won the Via Borghese S. at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 26 (video). The Team Valor runner is trained by Graham Motion.
Just A Care (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who races for Ashbrook Farm, Matthew O'Connor, Upland Flats Racing, and Amy Dunne, won for the second time in her career, taking a Gulfstream Park affair in mid-December (video). From the family of GIII Hollywood Juvenile Championship S. winner Necessary Evil (Harlan's Holiday), the filly won at Gulfstream in February.
ANISETTE (GB) wins the American Oaks, her second Grade 1 victory in America.🏆
She was purchased privately by @AvenueBstock from @kpfracing having previously been bought for just 26,000gns from Manor Farm in Wiltshire at @Tattersalls1766 Somerville Sale.pic.twitter.com/EFuF7Fgoq3
— GBRI (@GBRI_UK) December 27, 2023
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