Saxon Warrior Juvenile Registers Game Maiden Victory At Naas

Garden Of Eden (2f Saxon Warrior – Komedy, by Kodiac) shaped like a smart filly when winning Sunday’s seven-furlong fillies’ maiden at Naas.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained bay faced 15 rivals on her second start and raced prominently throughout under Jack Cleary. Ridden to lead approaching the final furlong, she soon faced a flurry of challenges and was headed in the final 110 yards. She rallied gamely to regain the advantage, leading by a head on the line, as €225,000 buy Celtic Motif (Saxon Warrior) finished second.

Speaking after the race, stable representative Chris Armstrong said, “Jack said she’s very, very tough and kept fighting all the way for him. He set a nice even tempo in front and when challengers came, she picked up and went again.

“She’ll probably step up to a mile later in the season and is a nice filly to look forward to for next year.”

Garden Of Eden holds an entry in the Goffs Million, having been bought by Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock at the Goffs Orby Sale for €200,000. Bred by Mark Hanly and Stephanie Hanly, the daughter of Saxon Warrior is a half-sister to the 97-rated Daysofourlives (Churchill).