By Tom Frary
Thursday's opening fillies' maiden at Leopardstown has a notable recent winner's list and Blonde Over Blue (Lope De Vega) added her name to it in convincing style in the John Oxley silks.
Sent off at 6-1 for the seven-furlong contest won in 2024 by Bedtime Story, in 2019 by Cayenne Pepper and in 2017 by September, the Joseph O'Brien-trained daughter of the Italian Group 3 winner American Bridge (Kodiac) received the perfect tow under cover throughout the early stages.
Surging to the front inside the final furlong under Dylan Browne McMonagle, the 400,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase asserted for a 3/4-of-a-length verdict over Ballydoyle's fellow newcomer Alpha (Sea The Stars), a daughter of the celebrated Alpha Centauri (Mastercraftsman). There was a neck back to the experienced Margot Mae (Starspangledbanner) from Cayenne Pepper's Jessie Harrington stable.
“She is a nice filly and it was a strong maiden,” O'Brien said. “She got a lovely position, found the line well and you'd be excited about her future. I suppose the plan would be either the Chesham in Ascot or come back here for the Silver Flash Stakes later in the summer. We'll see how she pulls up and discuss it with Mr Oxley and the ownership group.”
Justin Casse added, “She's a lovely progressive type that has really come to hand in the past 45 days. We didn't expect her to be ready as early as she is. Mr Oxley took a chance on buying more quality yearlings last year in partnerships for a change and it seems to be reaping rewards already with no less than three headed to Ascot and many more promising two-year-olds popping up on both sides of the Atlantic, fingers crossed things continue heading in the right direction.”
400,000gns buy Blonde Over Blue (Lope De Vega) makes a winning start ahead of what could be a very big few days for trainer @JosephOBrien2! @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/529Nu4OPYN
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 4, 2026
The winner is so far the only foal out of the aforementioned dam, a middle-distance performer who ended her career with a well-beaten fifth behind War Like Goddess in the 2021 Flower Bowl. Out of the Listed scorer More Than Sotka (Dutch Art), she hails from the family of the sire Titus Livius, the German 1,000 Guineas winner Briseida (Pivotal) and the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Zagora (Green Tune).
1st-Leopardstown, €22,000, Mdn, 6-4, 2yo, 7f 20yT, 1:35.36, sf.
BLONDE OVER BLUE (GB) (f, 2, Lope De Vega {Ire}–American Bridge {GB} {GSW-Ity, SP-Fr}, by Kodiac {GB}) Sales history: 260,000gns Wlg '24 TADEWE; 400,000gns Ylg '25 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $15,310. O-Oxley/O'Connor/Ballyhimikin; B-Michael E Wates CBE; T-Joseph O'Brien.
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