TDN RISING STARS

August 15, 2019 - LEOPARDSTOWN, Race 3, Mdn, EUR €0, , 18.0000

Ridenza (Ire), F, 2, 2017 by Sea the Stars (Ire)

1st Dam: Raydara (Ire) (GSW-Ire, $136,082), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire)
2nd Dam: Raydiya (Ire), by Marju (Ire)
3rd Dam: Raydaniya (Ire), by In the Wings (GB)

Owner: H.H. Aga Khan
Breeder: His Highness the Aga Khan's Studs S.C. (Ire)
Trainer: Mick Halford

One of two newcomers for His Highness the Aga Khan in Thursday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown, the well-backed Ridenza (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) emerged comfortably on top of Tasalka (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) to provide a one-two for her owner-breeder and gain TDN Rising Starstatus. Supported into 9-4 second favouritism, the dark bay who sported the second colours travelled keenly but smoothly in fifth under Ronan Whelan as Ballydoyle's 13-8 favourite Mythic (Ire)(Australia {GB}) forced the pace. Travelling notably strongly turning for home, the Mick Halford trainee swooped on her with 150 yards remaining and was pushed out to score by 1 1/2 lengths from the Weld representative, with Mythic a head back in third.

Halford, who trained the G2 Debutante S.-winning dam Raydara (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), told Irish Racing.com, "She?' a smart filly. She's a very well-bred filly and she's always shown plenty at home. We were just biding our time and letting her come to herself. It was just lovely to get her started. She'll step up in trip no bother. She's never been away from home and she's never been on grass, so it was a good performance from her. She holds plenty of good entries and we'll see how she comes out of that. The Debutante, that her mother won, might come up a shade quick for her. I couldn't get her out any earlier. She's in the [Sept. 15 G1] Moyglare [Stud S. at The Curragh] and we have plenty of options for her. She's going to go further and she has a big engine. She still has a bit of growing to do, she was quite green so hopefully there is more to come."

Ridenza is the first foal out of Raydara, who is a daughter of the Listed Lenebane S. scorer Raydiya (Ire) (Marju {Ire}) who is in turn a half to the G1 Coronation Cup third Roseburg (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). Her yearling filly is by Dark Angel (Ire), while she also has a filly foal by Lope de Vega (Ire).