TDN RISING STARS

May 20, 2019 - WINDSOR, Race 5, Novice, GBP £7,400, 1000m, 59.5600

Divine Spirit (GB), F, 2, 2017 by Kingman (GB)

1st Dam: Shyrl (GB) (GSP-Eng), by Acclamation (GB)
2nd Dam: Finicia, by Miswaki
3rd Dam: Benicia (Ire), by Lyphard

Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar
Trainer: Charlie Appleby

As a 850,000gns Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up topper, Godolphin’s Divine Spirit (GB)(Kingman {GB}) was on a hiding to nothing making her debut at the same Windsor track as her dam Shyrl (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) who was third in 2008 prior to going within a neck of breaking her maiden in the G2 Queen Mary S. days later. Hard to contain going down to post for the five-furlong fillies’ novice on Monday evening, the 8-11 favourite was settled perfectly under cover in the contest tracking the pace set by fellow Craven breezer Pink Sands (Ire) (No Nay Never). Getting a gap on the rail a furlong out, the bay was through and to the front with over a half-furlong remaining and hit the line strong with 1 3/4 lengths to spare over that rival.

Jockey James Doyle was impressed with the winner, who had been withdrawn from her intended debut at Ascot 10 days earlier due to soft ground won by the operation’s fellow TDN Rising Star Final Song (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). “She set off going to post and scooted a bit, but the bit had slipped to one side of her mouth and I didn’t have much control–she didn’t go that quick, but in the race she was perfect,� he commented. “She was a little bit ring rusty and a little bit green, but clicked into it at halfway. I liked the way she did take her time to pick up, so learnt on the job and then powered away nicely. There’s a bit of stamina there and she’s not an out-an-out five-furlong filly, but looking at her she’s not overly big and very precocious and racy. She’s ready to rock and roll now, so I’m sure Royal Ascot will be on the agenda.�

By Juddmonte’s sire sensation Kingman, the winner is a half-sister to Raucous (GB) (Dream Ahead) who was a smart juvenile himself when third in the G2 Gimcrack S. and G2 Mill Reef S. and who was later also in that position in the G3 Hackwood S. and G3 Bengough S. The third dam is Benicia (Ire) (Lyphard), who captured the Prix de Flore and was third in the Prix Saint Alary.