Drumquina Continues Holy Roman Emperor’s Excellent Run

Drumquina (3f Holy Roman Emperor - Tarascon, by Tirol) produced a game performance to take Wednesday’s Tom Jones Memorial Maiden over six furlongs at Naas.

Trained by Fozzy Stack for Mrs Jane Rowlinson, who bred the filly in partnership with Mrs Stack, Drumquina showed good promise last time out when finishing third over five furlongs at the same track. Once again ridden by Andy Slattery, she made all of the running on the far side, quickening over two furlongs out and was joined by the favourite Castletownshend entering the final furlong. Digging deep all the way, the brave filly prevailed by a short head on the line, as the first pair finished two and a quarter lengths clear of the third horse.

The winning jockey commented after the race, “I had a little moment of worry a furlong down when Billy Lee (rider of Castletownshend) came to me but all she did was grind and grind - she's a tough, hardy filly. Her mother was a champion and hopefully there's a bit more to come from her.”

A half-sister to two Stakes horses, Drumquina is out of the top-class racemare Tarascon, who Tommy Stack trained to win the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes in the colours of Mrs Rowlinson. Tarascon is a half-sister to dual Group winner Mister Monet (Peintre Celebre) and Group 1 performer Mala Mala, herself the dam of top two-year-old The Last Lion (Choisir).

Tarascon continues an excellent run for Holy Roman Emperor, who sired a Group double at the Curragh’s Irish Oaks meeting. The top-class son of Danehill commands €15,000 in 2019.