By Heather Anderson
Bred by Orpendale & Chelston in Kentucky, Goddess (Camelot {GB}) was one of just five 2-year-old filly 'TDN Rising Stars' for the Coolmore brain trust and various partners in Europe this year, and the second which traces directly to G3 Blue Wind S. runner-up Cherry Hinton (GB) (Green Desert) after MGSW Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}).
Ninth on debut after never receiving a clear run at The Curragh June 29, Goddess resurfaced in another seven-furlong heat at Leopardstown on July 12. Favored at 1-2, the bay duly attained 'Rising Stardom', drawing off to win by 10 lengths in front-running fashion for Susan Magnier and Hill 'n' Dale Farm's John Sikura although showing signs of greenness. Tried in the G3 Silver Flash S. there just 16 days later, the bay once more carried the weight of favoritism, but after leading into the straight, weakened and was eased, trailing in last of six.
Despite the final act of her three-race season, the half-sister to G1 Irish Oaks victress Bracelet (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and full-sister to GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. heroine Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) will have plenty of opportunity to build on her resume as a 3-year-old. A trip beyond seven furlongs would not be out of the question, especially as the half-sister to juvenile Group 2 victress Wading (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), herself already the dam of the aforementioned Just Wonderful, counts breed-shaping blue hen and Arc winner Urban Sea (Miswaki), responsible for a slew of high-class Group 1 winners at 1 1/2 miles (Sea The Stars {Ire}, Galileo {Ire}, Black Sam Bellamy {Ire}, etc., as her second dam.
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