By Brian Sheerin
Natalia Lupini has confirmed that stable star Kitty Rose (GB) (Invincible Army {Ire}) has been sold to owner Tim Porter but will remain in the care of the County Down-based trainer until after the Qipco 1,000 Guineas at least.
Porter's colours were carried in Ireland last season aboard the Joseph O'Brien-trained Honey Girl (GB) (Mayson {GB}). It is understood that Kitty Rose, who won the Listed Ingabelle S. at the Irish Champions Festival before finishing second in a Group 3, will continue her career in Australia later this summer.
Before then, Lupini, one of the most upwardly mobile trainers in Ireland, says she is dreaming of a breakthrough Classic victory with a filly who can be backed at odds of 33-1 for the Newmarket showpiece.
Lupini told TDN Europe, “Kitty Rose has been sold [by former owner Nigel O'Hare] to a new owner but she stays in the yard. She will stay with us for the spring but she might head to Australia towards the end of the year. It is great news that she will stay with us for a few runs at least before heading to Australia. We're really excited and very grateful to the new owners for giving us the chance to train her for her next couple of races at least.”
She added, “We were just speaking with the owners during the week and they are keen to run in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. We are aiming for the Irish 1,000 Guineas Trial on April 7 at Leopardstown first. After that, we can make a decision on Newmarket.”
Kitty Rose | Racingfotos.com
Lupini enjoyed her greatest ever tally of domestic winners last term. The Milan native sent out 16 winners from 102 runners. The figure stood at 14 wins from 56 runners the previous year. Prior to that, Lupini's greatest number of five wins was posted in 2021.
Things have been progressing nicely and top-notch breeze-up handler and respected pre-trainer Robson Aguiar was showered with praise by the trainer for pointing her in the direction of Kitty Rose.
Lupini explained, “We bought Kitty Rose from Robson Aguiar last year. We try to work closely with him and, for the past few seasons, we have bought a few horses from him. We get great feedback from Robson and we usually go to him with a plan. We have some new owners who have really embraced this new venture with us. He's a very good person to deliver exactly what an owner wants, be that a handicapper or a Group performer. He's able to say exactly what he thinks about each horse and then to put a price on it. Thankfully, Kitty Rose turned out to be very good. The relationship is working well.”
Away from Kitty Rose, there is plenty to look forward to for Lupini and her team, with a record number of juveniles in the system and high-class older horse Dunum (Ire) (Ivawood {Ire}) pencilled in for a trip to Royal Ascot.
She said, “It's been really exciting and we are working with the biggest number of horses we have ever had this season. We're still a small yard but we have a good number of two-year-olds and we're growing. We're thrilled with the team of horses that we have to work with this season. Not only the two-year-olds, but horses like Dunum as well. He will be aimed at the Emerald Mile on Irish Guineas weekend at the Curragh. We could look at Royal Ascot for him as well.”
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