By Sean Cronin
There was an abundance of pre-race hype surrounding the Aidan O'Brien-trained debutante Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Shambolic {Ire}, by Shamardal), who was hammered down to 8-13 favouritism for Friday evening's Kildare House Hotel Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at the Curragh, and she rewarded that faith with a 'TDN Rising Star' display in the seven-furlong test. Relaxed under Ryan Moore during the preliminaries, she was professional on the lead throughout and extended her margin of superiority, keeping on powerfully under mild coaxing, inside the final quarter-mile to easily account for Dollerina (Ire) (Territories {Ire}) by an impressive 2 3/4 lengths. She becomes Frankel's 34th Rising Star and joins a list which includes dual Group 1-winning G3 Hoppings S. runner-up Nashwa (GB).
“She was never away [from home], as she was so babyish, she was working very well and we're delighted with her,” O'Brien said. “It was nice to see her doing that and she's probably going to come on leaps and bounds. Ryan [Moore] gave her one back-hander to get down and stretch and said she was only playing in front. The [G2] Debutante S. should be perfect for her. She's working with the good colts no problem, which is usually a very good sign.”
Pedigree Notes
Ylang Ylang is the first of two foals out of Listed Pretty Polly S., Listed Height Of Fashion S. and Listed Chalice S. placegetter Shambolic (Ire) (Shamardal). The March-foaled bay's dam, who has a yearling colt by Kingman (GB) to come, is a half-sister to dual G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup-winning multiple Hong Kong champion Comic Strip (GB) (Marju {Ire}) and GI Flower Bowl Invitational and GI Diana S. heroine Laughing (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). Shambolic is also a half-sister to the unraced Blinking (GB) (Marju {Ire}), whose descendants include stakes-winning G3 Lillie Langtry S. third Twitch (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), stakes-winning G3 Premio Dormello third Romsey (GB) (Mukhadram {GB}) and G3 Sweet Solera S. third Mottisfont (Ire) (Adaay {Ire}).
2nd-Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 6-30, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:25.50, gd.
YLANG YLANG (GB), f, 2, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Shambolic (Ire) (MSP-Eng), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Comic (Ire), by Be My Chief
3rd Dam: Circus Act (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
(1,500,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €11,800. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Brant & Westerberg; B-Newsells Park Stud & Merry Fox Stud (GB); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore.
Ylang Ylang wins the Kildare House Hotel Maiden under Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O'Brien. 👏🏆
Many congratulations to all involved. ✨ pic.twitter.com/X8LagJ3XIr
— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) June 30, 2023
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