Newtown Stud

Amid the frenzied trade of the Tuesday evening session at last month's Tattersalls December Mares Sale, there were plenty of plaudits being passed around, and rightly so, for the sellers and the purchasers of the session's most sought-after mares. Partaking in a lower-profile-but equally deserved--celebration was the Grassick family of Newtown Stud, which had bred two of the top five lots at the sale: the Group 1-placed 2-year-old filly Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) (lot 1798), sold to Katsumi Yoshida for 1-million gns, and the listed-winning and group-placed Shades Of Blue...

Simon and Ed Crisford trainee Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) was slowly into stride for Saturday's MansionBet Bet 10 Get 20 EBF Maiden Fillies' S. at Goodwood, but she overturned that early deficit to register a hugely impressive triumph in the six-furlong test, earning 'TDN Rising Star' status and a ticket to Royal Ascot. The 7-4 favourite was keen under attempted restraint after breaking slowly and settled into a smooth rhythm once eased away from cover. Looming large out wide after halfway, she seized the initiative passing the quarter-mile marker and...