By Sean Cronin
Godolphin's Diamond Rain (GB) (Shamardal–Dancing Rain {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}), unraced as a juvenile, opened up with a narrow victory going just under a mile at Ascot in her May 1 debut last time and stepped forward to lay down a Classic marker in Saturday's Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. at Newbury. The G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks entry accepted a tow in second for most of this 10-furlong contest. Looming large in the straight, the 3-1 joint-second favourite eased to the front passing the quarter-mile marker and quickened clear under urging inside the final furlong to defeat 'TDN Rising Star' Ejaabiyah (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by an impressive 2 1/4 lengths for a career high.
“It was a slightly messy race, but it was a lovely performance,” said William Buick. “I was prepared to let her bowl along in front, but she did get a lead which was nice and she stepped up on her debut. This is more her trip I think and she's coming forward all the time. She doesn't feel like she's anywhere near the finished article yet. She's very straightforward and Charlie [Appleby] has been very pleased since Ascot. She's got a few options open for her now.”
Reflecting on the performance of runner-up Ejaabiyah, Roger Varian commented, “She ran a lovely race. She's a lovely filly who's still a bit green and she took her time to come to hand this spring. The winner looked nice and I think it was a strong little field of fillies. Our filly has shown up well, we're really pleased with her and she will improve from today.”
Pedigree Notes
Diamond Rain, who becomes the 171st black-type winner for her sire, is a daughter of G1 Oaks and G1 German Oaks heroine Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and thus a half-sister to dual Group 2-winning G1 Jebel Hatta runner-up and G1 Fillies' Mile third Magic Lily (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and stakes-winning G1 Grand Prix de Paris placegetter Jalmoud (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). Dancing Rain is a three-parts sister to Sumora (Ire) (Danehill), who is the dam of G1 Moyglare Stud S. victrix Maybe (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Maybe, in turn, produced G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Futurity Trophy hero Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and hails from the immediate family of G1 Derby-winning sire Dr Devious (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}), G1 Irish Oaks heroine Even So (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and G3 Greenlands S.-winning sire Archway (Ire) (Thatching {Ire}).
HARAS DE BOUQUETOT FILLIES TRIAL S.-Listed, £75,000, Newbury, 5-18, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:06.94, gd.
1–DIAMOND RAIN (GB), 128, f, 3, by Shamardal
1st Dam: Dancing Rain (Ire) (G1SW-Ger, G1SW-Eng, $932,081), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
2nd Dam: Rain Flower (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
3rd Dam: Rose Of Jericho, by Alleged
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £42,533. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $79,776. *1/2 to Magic Lily (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), MGSW & G1SP-UAE, G1SP-Eng, SP-Fr, $485,360; 1/2 to Jalmoud (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), SW & G1SP-Fr, $163,609.
2–Ejaabiyah (GB), 128, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Estijaab (Aus), by Snitzel (Aus).
1ST BLACK TYPE. TDN Rising Star. O/B-Emirates Park Pty Ltd (GB); T-Roger Varian. £16,125.
3–Siyola (Ire), 128, f, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Timepiece (GB), by Zamindar.
1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden. £8,070.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1 1/4, 3 3/4. Odds: 3.00, 2.50, 3.00.
Also Ran: Meribella (GB), Our Golden One (Ire). Scratched: Local Arms (Ire).
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