By Sean Cronin
Pursuing the Dream was a 150-1 sixth tackling Royal Ascot's June 21 Queen Mary S. in her fourth start before running fourth in a July 5 Bath conditions event and lined up for this second black-type attempt coming back from a fifth in Newbury's July 22 Weatherbys Super Sprint last time. Racing under a firm grip in rear until well beyond halfway, she eased into contention with 300 metres remaining and ran on strongly once stoked up at the eighth pole to claim a first win of any kind nearing the line. “It was a bit of a gamble to come for a Listed race with a maiden, but we knew we could win a maiden race at any time in England so we decided to take the shot and it paid off nicely,” explained winning trainer Jamie Osborne. “She's a well-bred filly out of a Dubawi mare so she now has a future. We will consider all options for her next race and, as her limit is five furlongs, it might be the [Sept. 2 G3] Prix d'Arenberg [at Chantilly] or the [Sept. 22 Listed] Harry Rosebery [S. at Ayr].”
Pursuing the Dream, who is a half-sister to a yearling filly by Footstepsinthesand (GB) and a colt foal by Fast Company (Ire), becomes the third winner and first stakes scorer produced by a half-sister to Listed Firth of Clyde S. winner Femme Fatale (GB) (Fairy King) and MSW G2 Sun Chariot S. runner-up Foodbroker Fancy (Ire) (Halling). Femme Fatale is the granddam of G3 Coral Charge victor Extortionist (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) while Foodbroker Fancy is the dam of four black-type performers headed by GIII Long Island H. victress Dalvina (GB) (Grand Lodge) and Listed Lupe S. winner Soft Centre (GB) (Zafonic), who in turn produced G1 Nassau S. heroine Sultanina (GB) (New Approach {Ire}).
PRIX DE LA VALLEE D'AUGE – ETALON KENDARGENT-Listed, €60,000, DVL, 8-15, 2yo, 5fT, :58.17, gd.
1–PURSUING THE DREAM (IRE), 125, f, 2, by Dream Ahead
1st Dam: Crimson Lass (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire)
2nd Dam: Red Rita (Ire), by Kefaah
3rd Dam: Katie Roche (Ire), by Sallust (GB)
*1st stakes win. (€30,000 Ylg '16 GOFORB). O-S Short, I Barratt, A Signy & B Spiers; B-Kildaragh Stud (IRE); T-Jamie Osborne; J-Dougie Costello. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 7-1-1-0, €44,810.
2–Coeur de Beaute (Fr), 125, f, 2, Dabirsim (Fr)–Twilight Tear (GB), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire). (€30,000 Ylg '16 OSLATE). O-Ahmed Mouknass, Ecurie Pandora Racing & Gerard Decocq. €12,000.
3–Ken Colt (Ire), 128, g, 2, Kendargent (Fr)–Velvet Revolver (Ire), by Mujahid. (€20,000 RNA Ylg '16 ARAUG). O-Roy Racing Ltd, Fabrice Chappet, Christopher N Wright & Crispin de Moubray. €9,000.
Margins: NK, 1 1/4, 2. Odds: 2.10, 3.80, 14.40.
Also Ran: Denaar (Ire), Reflect Alexander (Ire), Sagres (GB), Mister Five Euros (Fr), Sestilio Jet (Fr), Teckwin (Fr), Rimini (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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