1st-TIP, €14,000, Mdn, 7-9, 2yo, 7f 100yT, 1:38.89, yl.
SEA OF GRACE (IRE) (f, 2, Born to Sea {Ire}–Lady Vettoria {Fr}, by Vettori {Ire}) was a promising debut third at The Curragh June 24, despite stumbling from the gates and encountering traffic, and was shuffled back to race fifth after sharp getaway here. Inching back into contention in the straight, the 4-5 favourite quickened smartly to seize control approaching the final furlong and was pushed out in the latter stages to score by a length from Eziyra (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). “She ran promisingly at The Curragh, everything went according to plan today and she won nicely,” commented trainer John Oxx. “She settled well and quickened up nicely. She was an expensive yearling, and is a big, strong filly and we might look at the [G3] Silver Flash S. at Leopardstown on Thursday week [July 21]. She is a lovely filly and the first winner in Ireland or England for Born to Sea–some are showing a nice bit of promise, but they aren't early precocious types and need a bit of time. He is a son of Urban Sea at the end of the day and I like the ones I have.” The €80,000 GOFNOV foal and €260,000 ARAUG yearling, who is entered in both Aug. 7 G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. and Sept. 11 G1 Moyglare Stud S., becomes the second winner for her Gilltown Stud-based freshman sire (by Invincible Spirit {Ire}). She is the third winner out of Lady Vettoria (Fr) (Vettori {Ire}), herself a winning half sister to MGSP Cougar Bay (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}), and is a hal to Listed Criterium di Pisa third Pepparone (Ire) (Stormy River {Fr}). From the family of MG1SW champion Sagaro (GB) (Espresso {GB}), Sea of Grace shares her third dam, G1 Premio Roma-winning Italian champion Mariella (GB) (Sir Gaylord), with G1 Prix Saint-Alary victress and Italian highweight Marotta (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}). Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, €10,250. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Sunderland Holding Inc; B-Robert Norton (IRE); T-John Oxx.
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