By Sean Cronin
Gestut Auenquelle's Virginia Storm (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), a full-brother to Saturday's €975,000 Arqana Arc Sale topper Virginia Joy (Ger), registered a narrow debut verdict tackling 8 1/2 furlongs at Dusseldorf on Sunday.
1st-Dusseldorf, €5,100, Mdn, 10-4, 2yo, 8 1/2fT, 1:46.43, g/s.
VIRGINIA STORM (GER) (c, 2, Soldier Hollow {GB}–Virginia Sun {Ger} {Hwt. Older Mare-Ger at 14f+ & GSW-Ger}, by Doyen {Ire}) was allowed time to find a comfortable rhythm and raced in a prominent second for most of this debut. Rowed along at the top of the straight, the 6-5 favourite came under sterner urging approaching the final furlong and was ridden out to deny 7-5 market rival Novellini (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger}) by a nose in a bobbing finish. He is the second foal and winner produced by G3 Deutsches St Leger victress Virginia Sun (Ger) (Doyen {Ire}). The homebred bay is full to a yearling filly and this term's G3 Mehl-Mulhens-Trophy scorer and G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) third Virginia Joy (Ger), who topped the sheets when selling for €975,000 at Saturday's Arqana Arc Sale. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €3,000.
1ST-TIME STARTER. O/B-Gestut Auenquelle (GER); T-Henk Grewe.
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