Lady Rothschild’s most memorable season as an owner continued to provide enjoyment as Thistle Bird stormed away with the Listed Woodcote Stud EBF Valiant Stakes at Ascot.
One of Europe’s most distinguished families have long been famed for success in the financial sector but their return as a force in racing has been sudden, with Waddesdon Stud in Buckinghamshire producing the Eclipse and Irish Oaks winners Nathaniel and Great Heavens.
Thistle Bird’s trainer Roger Charlton acknowledged major Group One honours would be unlikely for his daughter of Selkirk, but did not rule out a run in next weekend’s Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Already a Listed winner at Windsor this term, Thistle Bird (4-1) was always well placed under James Doyle, who gathered her up with a couple of furlongs remaining and drove her two and three-quarter lengths clear of Villeneuve.
Lady Rothschild said: “It’s been wonderful – our best ever (year), easily. And it’s not over yet. We’ve got 15 broodmares and I’m just as overcome as when Great Heavens won in Ireland. I must thank everyone at Waddesdon.”
Charlton said: “She has won two Listed races now, so you’ve got to look at a Group race. She is in the Nassau, which would be a jump up and you’d be looking at fourth, not winning. But sometimes it’s easier to be placed in a Group One than to win a Group Three.”
Sheikh Hamdan’s decision to send two-year-olds to Richard Hannon continues to look a wise one as Fleeting Smile (11-8 favourite) got off the mark in the John Guest Irish EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, though she was pushed all the way by newcomer Flawless Beauty.
Hannon said: “She’s a very good filly and we’ve been in no great rush with her. She’ll improve and get further, so I’d say she’ll only have one or two more runs before the end of the year. We’ve had four or five winners for Sheikh Hamdan now.”
Jockey Tadhg O’Shea doubled up on the lightly raced Hajras (5-2 favourite) in the Newsmith October Club Charity Handicap. Charlie Johnston, son of trainer Mark, said: “He had a little problem and was a bit rusty last time at Newmarket.”
Carlton Blue (8-1) became only the second success on the grass for Derby-winning trainer Paul Cole in the Houghton Stone Nursery. “I think everyone thinks I’ve got 150 horses, but I’ve only got 38,” said Cole. “He will go for a nursery at Goodwood next Friday.”
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