Oaks Fancy Wins Salsabil Stakes On Return

Leading Oaks fancy Pink Dogwood (3f Camelot - Question Times, by Shamardal) made a winning racecourse return in Sunday’s Listed Salsabil Stakes at Navan.

An impressive maiden winner over a mile as a juvenile and beaten just a length and a half in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac when last seen, it was unsurprising to see the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly sent off favourite of the ten horse field. Racing over ten furlongs, she was ridden patiently by Ryan Moore, improving her position from the two furlong marker and led a furlong from home. Staying on well under hands and heels, she beat Encapsulation (Zoffany) by half a length.

Her winning trainer said after the race, “She was just ready to start off and you couldn't be happier with her. The plan was always that we would go to the Oaks and whether she will have a run or not before then I'm not sure.”

Pink Dogwood had a lofty reputation before taking to the track, being a full-sister to Irish Derby hero Latrobe (Camelot) and a half-sister to Group 3 Gladness Stakes winner Diamond Fields (Fastnet Rock). Bred by Sweetmans Bloodstock, she sold for €380,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale, where her half-sister by Zoffany sold for €325,000 last year.