Classic Dream For Sioux Nation’s Latest Stakes Winner

Friday saw Matilda Picotte (2f Sioux Nation - Hallie’s Comet, by One Cool Cat) gain a deserved black-type success in the Listed Bosra Sham Fillies Stakes at Newmarket.

A debut winner of a Curragh maiden in May, the Kieran Cotter-trained bay has never finished out of the first four since, having placed in the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes and Group 2 Lowther Stakes, as well as the valuable Ballyhane Stakes.

Sent off favourite for the six furlong contest, she was ridden to make all by Declan McDonogh and was shaken up after the two furlong marker. Ridden inside the final furlong, she kept on well to score by a length and a half, as Queen Olly (No Nay Never) completed a 1-2 for Coolmore sires.

“We’re thrilled,” the winning trainer said after the race. “She hasn’t ducked any challenge all year. We were confident coming here today that the same performance would win this and she turned up with the goods again.”

Friday’s win also strengthened connections’ dreams for next season, Cotter added, “The lads wanted to come to Newmarket and see how she’d handle the track and I suppose the dream is will she stay another two furlongs next year. You would think she’s a sprinter but I suppose it’s probably more prudent to stretch and see would she see the mile. You can always go back but we’ve got the whole of the winter to mull over it now.”

Bred by Mighty Universe Ltd, Matilda Picotte is also entered in the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. She is one of ten Stakes performers from the impressive first crop of Sioux Nation.