By Sean Cronin
Godolphin contributed to a succession of fireworks at Newmarket's Park Paddocks sales venue during the earlier part of the week and, with action firmly centred on the nearby Rowley Mile racetrack, continued in similar vein as the operation's 2-year-old filly Verse Of Love (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}–Vercelli {GB}, by Shamardal) powered to a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette in Friday's Godolphin Under Starters Orders Maiden Fillies' Stakes. She becomes the 14th Rising Star for her sire, whose roll of honour includes this month's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Zarigana (Ire).
The March-foaled homebred found a modicum of cover, racing in an overall seventh, after breaking on the far-side wing. Inching forward from halfway, the well-backed 2-1 favourite loomed large on the bridle passing the quarter-mile marker and powered clear in style once quickening to the fore approaching the final furlong to easily outclass stablemate Wild Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) by an impressive five lengths.
“She's a scopey filly, who we have given time, and she has sort of just been on the back burner,” explained trainer Charlie Appleby, whose prior winners of this contest include Spring Of Love (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Dream Of Love (Ire) (Shamardal). “It has only been the last few weeks we've begun to bring her through the ranks and every time she has a done a bit of work she's pleased us, so we stepped her up a groove. We came here confident that she is a filly who should have a nice future. It was handy we had our other filly beside her in stall two and she kept her company. She knew her job, but you often find those good horses do that. It's nice to go into the winter with the experience she has had there and, as William [Buick] said, she deserves to have the winter now. We'll stick her in a [Classic] trial in the spring and see where we are. I don't see any reason why we wouldn't be going down the route of a trial.”
Verse Of Love is the first of three foals out of a half-sister to three-time Group 1-winning Australian champion miler Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), dual Group-winning G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Grand Prix de Paris placegetter Saint Baudolino (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), dual Group-placed three-time Listed winner Well Of Wisdom (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and the multiple Group-placed Listed Prix de Suresnes victor Army Bulletin (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The March-foaled homebred bay's third dam is G3 Prix de Cabourg victrix and G1 Prix Morny and G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes placegetter Tereshkova (Mr. Prospector). Verse Of Love is kin to a yearling filly by Oasis Dream (GB) and a weanling filly by St Mark's Basilica (Fr).
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Verse Of Love (Siyouni) makes a lovely start, travelling powerfully and pulling clear of a talented and well-bred field for Charlie Appleby, @WilliamBuickX and @godolphin @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/R9ASRAqdlZ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 11, 2024
1st-Newmarket, £20,000, Mdn, 10-11, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:25.98, g/s.
VERSE OF LOVE (GB), f, 2, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Vercelli (GB), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Alessandria (GB), by Sunday Silence
3rd Dam: Tereshkova, by Mr. Prospector
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £10,308. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick.
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