3 minute read
Space Blues becomes Dubawi’s 43rd Group 1 winner
The Charlie Appleby-trained Space Blues (4 c ex Miss Lucifer by Noverre) chalked up a much deserved first Group 1 win when he beat a classy field in the Prix Maurice De Gheest (Gr 1, 1300m) at Deauville on Sunday and in the process handed Darley stallion Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) with his 43rd Group 1 winner.
Having finished third in the Group 1 event 12 months ago, the Godolphin-raced colt came into the race a winner of his three most recent starts, all at stakes level, including the Lennox Stakes (Gr 2, 7f) at Glorious Goodwood.
On Sunday he continued that excellent form, storming home to beat Hello Youmzain (Kodiac) by three-quarters of a length with another head back to Lope Y Fernandez (Lope De Vega) in third. Godolphin-raced Earthlight (Shamardal), who came into the race with an unbeaten record to keep intact, could only manage fourth.
"He's a Dubawi and we know what they can do as they get older," said Appleby.
"His profile this year has just been faultless. Every time he's stepped up in grade he's been more impressive. A lot of credit goes to the team at home. Paulo who rides him at home does a fantastic job looking after him.
"I'm delighted, he deserves to win a Group 1."
The colt is out of Challenge Stakes (Gr 2, 7f) winner Miss Lucifer (Noverre), making him a half-brother to Group 2 winner Shuruq (Elusive Quality) who in turn produced Listed winner Antoinette (Hard Spun), who also finished third at Grade 1 level.
The colt’s third dam is High Spirited (Shirley Heights) - the dam of Group 2 winner Amfortas (Caerleon) and Group 3 winner Legend Maker (Sadler’s Wells), who produced 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) winner Virginia Waters (Kingmambo).
Virginia Waters herself is the dam of Emperor Claudius (Giant’s Causeway) and the grandam of Snow Fairy Stakes (Gr 3, 1m1f) winner Rain Goddess (Galileo).
As well as Virginia Waters, Legend Maker is also the dam of Group 3 winner Alexander Of Hales (Danehill), who also finished second in the Irish Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f), while she is also the grandam of Listed winner Qertaas (Linamix), who in turn produced Group 3 winner Munthaa (Dansili).
Meanwhile, another of Legend Makers daughters, Canterbury Lace (Danehill), produced Group 3-winning pair Chief Whip (Giant’s Causeway) and J Wonder (Footstepsinthesand) and Matron Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Chachamaidee (Footstepsinthesand).
Dubawi, who stood at Darley’s Dalham Hall for a fee of £250,000, he will be represented in Australia this season by his multiple Group 1-winning son Too Darn Hot, who will stand at Darley’s Kelvinside base for a fee of $44,000 (inc GST).
#Galop @HipposDeauville
— Equidia (@equidia) August 9, 2020
Le Français Earthlight (@mickaelbarzalon) perd son invincibilité et c'est finalement l'autre protégé de l'écurie @godolphin, Space Blues (C. Appleby / W. Buick) qui triomphe dans le Prix Maurice de Gheest (GR. I).
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