Promising Gleneagles Filly Quickens Clear

Queen Maedbh (2f Gleneagles - Euthenia, by Winker Watson) built on a promising debut to lead home a 1-2-3 for Coolmore sires in Wednesday’s six furlong maiden at Dundalk.

The daughter of Gleneagles was purchased privately after a narrow debut defeat at Leopardstown for Gavin Cromwell. Sent off favourite on her first start for Joseph O’Brien and the HOS Syndicate, she was ridden to chase the leader by Mikey Sheehy and was shaken up to lead a furlong from home. Pushed out, she ran on well to score by two lengths and three quarters, as long-time leader Catherine Of Siena (U S Navy Flag) took second and Aussie Girl (Starspangledbanner) finished third.

Speaking after the race, assistant trainer Brendan Powell said, “Queen Meadbh travelled the whole way round and picked up nicely. She is very relaxed at home so it's hard to gauge what she is but she showed a lot of speed here.”

Connections evidently hold Queen Maedbh in high regard, having entered her in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. The daughter of Gleneagles was bred by Knocktartan House Stud out of Euthenia, whose Churchill colt sold for €130,000 at this year’s yearling sales.