TDN RISING STARS

August 30, 2024 - Sandown Park, Race 3, Msw, GBP £10,000, 7.0F

Jonquil (GB), C, 2, 2022 by Lope de Vega (Ire)

1st Dam: Jovial (GB) (MSP-Eng), by Dubawi (Ire)
2nd Dam: Joyeuse (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
3rd Dam: Kind (Ire), by Danehill

Owner: Juddmonte
Breeder: Juddmonte Farms (East), Ltd. (GB)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute

Sir Michael Stoute trainee Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}-Jovial {GB}, by Dubawi {Ire}) overcame all manner of traffic problems to attain 'TDN Rising Star' status in Friday's Sri Lanka Jewel Of Asia British EBF Maiden Stakes at Sandown.

Ryan Moore's mount was well away to race in a close-up third for most of this debut. Caught in a pocket along the far-side rail in the straight, the 11-4 joint-favourite was hampered when attempting to move forward approaching the final furlong and quickened smartly once into the clear to edge Centigrade (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) by a short-head, and value for much more, in the dying strides of the seven-furlong contest. Jonquil becomes the 16th Rising Star for Lope De Vega, whose roll of honour includes the multiple Group 1-placed Beauvatier (Fr).

"With it being his first time at the races, we'd have preferred it to be a little bit smoother," commented assistant trainer James Savage. "Ryan [Moore] said the tempo wasn't that fast and they all came into the race looking for room. He had to show a good bit of grit to get out of there and the way he picked up was very impressive. He's got the right mentality and did everything right. He changes gear, he quickens well and he has the right attitude for a racehorse. Obviously, there's stamina in the pedigree and there's a bit of speed on the dam's side. Hopefully, he's got a nice future."