Third behind the smart Rehana (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and subsequent G2 Debutante S. winner Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) on debut over seven furlongs here June 24, Sea of Grace had gone on to beat Eziyra in a maiden over 100 yards further at Tipperary July 9 but started as only the joint-second favourite behind that market-leader for this rematch. Anchored in last early by Declan McDonogh, the chestnut was delivered with a smooth run down the outside stalking that Aga Khan homebred and jumped her to take the lead passing the quarter pole. As Eziyra gained more momentum soon after, she was in front and looking the likely winner but Sea of Grace battled gamely to retake the advantage in the last yards and register a first black-type success for her Gilltown Stud-based freshman sire (by Invincible Spirit {Ire}).
For trainer John Oxx, the win was a welcome return to the big time and he said, “It was fast enough for her, as she would like a bit of an ease. They went a good gallop and she has a good turn of foot. Declan gave her a squeeze and off she went. Then I thought she would get beaten, but she is very courageous and has plenty of heart. She has gone the right way and was better today than when she beat Eziyra. If there is an ease in the ground, we may let her take her chance in the [G1] Moyglare [Stud S. at The Curragh Sept. 11]. It's only two weeks away, but we'll see how she is. It was the plan to drop her in, and she is becoming more settled. Declan said she is still quite green, so hopefully she will continue to improve. He dam wasn't that great, but did win over a mile and a half.”
Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
FLAME OF TARA EBF S.-G3, €80,000, CUR, 8-28, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:37.90, gd.
1–#@SEA OF GRACE (IRE), 126, f, 2, by Born To Sea (Ire)
1st Dam: Lady Dettoria (Fr), by Vettori (Ire)
2nd Dam: Delimara (Ire), by In the Wings (GB)
3rd Dam: Mariella (GB), by Sir Gaylord
(€80,000 Wlg '14 GOFNOV; €260,000 Ylg '15 ARAUG). O-Sunderland Holding Inc; B-Robert Norton (IRE); T-John Oxx; J-Declan McDonogh. €47,200. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $64,057. *1/2 to Pepparone (Ire) (Stormy River {Fr}), SP-Ity, $101,544.[bullet ad=”mandore-purchased-by”]2–Eziyra (Ire), 126, f, 2, Teofilo (Ire)–Eytarna (Ire), by Dubai Destination. O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (IRE); T-Dermot Weld. €16,000.
3–Butterflies (Ire), 126, f, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Mariah's Storm, by Rahy. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Pacelco (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €8,000.
Margins: NK, 3HF, 3 1/4. Odds: 3.50, 1.00, 3.50.
Also Ran: Legitimus (Ire), Pocketfullofdreams (Fr), Madame Cherie, Bound (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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