Ascot Aspirations For Footstepsinthesand Filly

Setarhe (2f Footstepsinthesand – Sommorell, by Fast Company) may be next seen at Royal Ascot after making a winning debut at Newmarket on Thursday.

The 160,000gns yearling purchase was sent off favourite for the six furlong fillies’ maiden and her victory was made more impressive by how she recovered from a sluggish start. Making headway from over two furlongs out, she led inside the final furlong and kept on to win by three parts of a length from longtime leader Cirrus (Starspangledbanner).

Winning trainer Roger Varian later compared Setarhe to another stable star, saying, “That was a lovely debut. Daahyeh came from last to first on her debut her last year. She really showed a smart turn of foot. She has always been natural and I’ve always been happy with her.” On future plans, Varian added, “I will speak with the owners, but if she comes out of this race OK I might consider looking at the Albany.”

Owned by Amo Racing, Setarhe was bred by R Patterson and is a half-sister to Inverleigh. Her debut success comes just two days before top two-year-old Mums Tipple (Footstepsinthesand) makes his seasonal return in the 2,000 Guineas at the same track.