Smart Newcomer Kicks Off Ten Sovereigns Double
Freshman sire Ten Sovereigns enjoyed a smart double on Friday, beginning with a taking debut by Queen Of Mougins (2f Ten Sovereigns - Premiere Danseuse, by Gold Away) at Newbury.
Trained by Ralph Beckett for Valmont and partners, Alex Elliott’s €200,000 buy was well-supported in the market ahead of the fillies’ novice stakes over six furlongs. Ridden patiently by Rossa Ryan, she made good headway approaching the final furlong and quickened to lead inside the final 110 yards. Keeping on well, she beat the favourite Bourgeoisie by three parts of a length.
Speaking after the race, assistant trainer Joe Tuite said, “Queen Of Mougins is a nice filly and Rossa was complimentary. He said she was professional, but will improve having been green in front. He thought she might be better on better ground.”
Queen Of Mougins was bred by Pier House Stud, who were well-rewarded when selling her at the breeze-up sales via Mocklershill.
At Cork later that afternoon, the promising Gloucester (2c Ten Sovereigns - Anja, by Indian Ridge) ran out a stylish winner of the five furlong maiden under Paddy Harnett.
The Donnacha O’Brien-trained colt showed promise last time out and appeared to appreciate the ease underfoot on Friday. Racing prominently in the early stages, he was shaken up approaching the final furlong, before being ridden to assert close home. The winning distance was three parts of a length, with another length and a half back to the short-priced favourite in third.
Speaking after the race, the winning rider said, “I half-speeded down to the furlong pole and he quickened away. He was green in front, but he stayed going forward. Hopefully he can progress into Stakes races.”
A Coolmore homebred, Gloucester is a half-brother to dual Group 3 winner Great House (Galileo). His young trainer has played a part in Ten Sovereigns’ promising start at stud, having also trained Do It With Style (Ten Sovereigns) to win a Curragh maiden on debut, before gaining black-type in the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes.