Calyx Filly Shows Her Class In Group 2 Sprint

Calyx celebrated his first Group winner on Friday when Persian Dreamer (2f Calyx - Surprisingly, by Galileo) lowered the colours of the short-priced favourite in the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.

An impressive debut winner at the Rowley Mile in April, the Dominic French Davis-trained filly went on to finish fourth in a Listed race and filled the same position in the Group 3 Albany Stakes last time out. Racing over six furlongs once again on Friday, Amo Racing’s first string chased the pace under Kevin Stott and was asked to quicken two furlongs from home. Ridden a furlong later, she soon led and kept on well to win by a length and three quarters, while the 105-rated favourite finished three and a half lengths clear of the third.

Persian Dreamer’s career-best performance was well-timed for Amo’s Kia Joorabchian, who was celebrating his birthday on Friday. “That's a great birthday present. Kevin said he felt she had plenty in the tank and I think the rain has helped her chances, although it's not really soft out there.”

Joorabchian mentioned a possible step up in trip for the filly, adding, “We’ve loved this filly from day one. She’s beaten a 1-6 favourite and well thought of Godolphin horse, so we will look at Group 1 options.”

Amo Racing and Robson Aguiar paid €145,000 for Persian Dreamer at the Goffs Orby Sale, having enjoyed a fruitful campaign with her half-sister Queen Olly (No Nay Never); third in last year’s running of the Group 2 and also fourth in the Albany Stakes. Persian Dreamer becomes the first Stakes winner bred by Adam Bowden’s Diamond Creek Farm out of Surprisingly (Galileo), herself a full-sister to Melbourne Cup and Irish Derby runner-up Tiger Moth (Galileo).

She continues an exciting start at stud by Calyx, whose first crop also includes Group 2 Norfolk Stakes second Malc (Calyx). Just a day earlier, How’s The Guvnor (Calyx) ran out an impressive winner of a six furlong maiden at Doncaster.