Dundeel filly’s stunning 2YO stakes win
Multiple Group 1 sire Dundeel is set to claim his second consecutive top 10 finish on the Australian General Sires' Premiership. (PHOTO: Joan Faras)
Much was expected from Dundeel when he went to stud at Arrowfield in 2014, after a stellar career featuring six Group 1 wins as a 3YO & 4YO from 1600 to 2400 metres.
But leaving precocious early-comers wasn’t high on the list of expectations. A decade later, with three 2YOs among his 8 Group 1 winners, Dundeel has thoroughly proven his ability to cross the boundaries of his own Classic pedigree and performance.
In much the same spirit, his 2YO daughter Femminile defied her 25/1 starting price to land Saturday’s $120,000 SAJC Oaklands Plate 1400m LR with a scarcely believable run down the outside fence to snatch an ears-pricked victory by 1.5 lengths from last-start winner Colmar.
She is Dundeel’s 40th 2YO winner, his 7th stakeswinner at that age (& the second SW from his 2021 crop after Epimeles), and the 30th stakeswinner of his career.
Have a look at Femminile! 🔥
She rocketed home from last on the outside fence 💨 @pstokesracing @KaylaCrowther2 pic.twitter.com/h8xGlxfAN4
— Racing.com (@Racing) June 29, 2024
Jockey Kayla Crowther said, “I couldn’t believe it halfway down the straight, she absolutely flew, I can’t believe she won from where she was, she pulled up not blowing at all – she’s really classy.”
The filly will now be aimed at the $150,000 South Australian Sires’ Produce S. G3 on 20 July.
Femminile was bred by Australian IT entrepreneur Simon Delzoppo and his wife Mimi Kleber from the stakes-placed 7-time winner Femme Fireball (by Pierro from a Fastnet Rock mare). Femme Fireball is a full sister to Group 3 winner Rock and descends from the 1992 Oaklands Plate winner Credit Account who went on to win the Kingston Town Classic G1.
Offered by Vinery Stud at Inglis Easter, Femminile was purchased for $150,000 by her trainer Phillip Stokes & Rick Connolly Bloodstock, and she is raced by an OTI Racing-managed syndicate in partnership with her breeders.
From 19 Australian 2YO runners this season, Dundeel has posted 6 winners including Epimeles (VRC Anzac Day S. LR) & Femminile plus Duvana (3rd, ATC Skyline S. G2) and Flemington-placed winner Henlein. Not too surprisingly, the dams or grand-dams of all six winners are by sons of Danehill.
