Black-Type Sioux Nation Filly Gets Off The Mark

Friday saw the Group-placed juvenile Ashwiyaa (2f Sioux Nation - Cyrenaica, by Angliana) gain a deserved win in the five furlong maiden at Down Royal.

Third to a subsequent Group 3 winner on debut, the Michael O’Callaghan-trained bay placed on her next three starts, including in the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes won by Matrika (No Nay Never). Sent off favourite on Friday, she raced prominently under Colin Keane and was travelling best of the field when shaken up after the two furlong pole. Ridden to lead inside the final furlong, she ran on well to score by a length and a quarter from the fast-finishing Back Down Under (Australia).

“I am delighted to finally get her head in front,” O’Callaghan said after the race. “Ashwiyaa was already third in a Group 2 and she has just had a habit of getting herself beaten for one reason or another. Colin said she might be made for that five furlong Listed race in Dundalk.”

Bred by Alla Bobaker, Ashwiyaa hails from the second crop of Sioux Nation. The Group 1 winning son of Scat Daddy is enjoying a terrific season so far, with juveniles Letsbefrankabout and Indian Run it taking the Group 3 Round Tower and Group 3 Acomb Stakes respectively last month. His first crop of three-year-olds has produced eight Group/Stakes winners to date.