Third Group Winner Of The Week For Sioux Nation

A return to Group 1 level is on the cards for Ocean Quest (3f Sioux Nation - Gold Zain, by Aqlaam) after gaining her second impressive Stakes win of the season in the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes.

The Jessica Harrington-trained filly made a winning debut at the Curragh last March and signed off her juvenile career with a narrow defeat at Group 3 level. She appeared better than ever then bolting up by six lengths in a Listed sprint in April and was last seen finishing fourth in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup.

Sent off a short-priced favourite at Naas on Sunday, she raced prominently on the far side of the track and asserted before the final furlong. Driven out by Shane Foley, she was eased down close home to score by three lengths and three quarters, as Aussie Girl (Starspangledbanner) claimed runners-up honours on the near side.

“She's versatile, classy and speedy,” Harrington later said of her charge. “Ascot in October is the main aim but she's also in the Sprint Cup at Haydock.”

Owned by John Kirkland and Mrs JM Ryan, Ocean Quest is the best performer bred by Dr TK Chah out of the unraced mare Gold Zain. She becomes Sioux Nation’s third Group winner of the week, with Letsbefrankaboutit (Sioux Nation) having won the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes the previous day, while Indian Run (Sioux Nation) took the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York on Wednesday.