Saxon Warrior Filly Raids Listed Race At Chantilly

Saturday saw the Joseph O’Brien-trained Thornbrook (3f Saxon Warrior - Lillebonne, by Danehill Dancer) make a worthwhile trip to Chantilly, where she gained a first Stakes success in the Listed Prix de Bagatelle.

The daughter of Saxon Warrior emerged as an exciting prospect last summer, when winning a Leopardstown maiden first time out and followed up with a fine third in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes won by subsequent Grade 1 winner Meditate (No Nay Never). Unsuited by the heavy ground on her seasonal reappearance, the bay was partnered by Aurelien Lemaitre on Saturday and raced close to the pace throughout the mile contest. Biding her time until a gap appeared, she was ridden to lead entering the final furlong and stayed on well to deny a late challenged by a short neck.

A further step up in class may now be on the cards for Thornbrook, who holds entries in a host of Group races, including the Group 1 Matron Stakes. Bred by Peter Henly, John Connolly and Pattern Bloodstock, she is a half-sister to Listed winner and Group 2 second Seisai (Gleneagles).

Thornbrook becomes the fifth individual Stakes winner from the first crop of Saxon Warrior, and is one of eight Group performers from the top-class son of Deep Impact.