First Southern Hemisphere Stakes-Winner for Holy Roman

A Dual Group I winning son of legendary sire Danehill, Holy Roman Emperor posted his first Southern Hemisphere stakes-winner winner in New Zealand on Saturday and ironically it was with a filly who was also his first winner in Australasia in November last year.

The Roger James trained filly Holy Moly (3f Holy Roman Emperor x Clarissa, by Zabeel) improved sharply on her recent form to score a three-quarter length win in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes over 1400 metres at Ellerslie, her overall record now two wins and a third from five starts.

A $200,000 purchase for Barry Lee Bloodstock from the Curraghmore draft at the 2010 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Holy Moly was bred by Gordon Cunningham in partnership and is the most expensive filly by her sire from his first Australian crop.

She is the first foal of her dam Clarissa, a winning mare by Zabeel from the family of European Group winners Daneneyev and Charming Groom.

Holy Moly is the seventh stakes-winner for Holy Roman Emperor, who has shuttled to Australia for four seasons but did not make the trip this year.