Underlining the strength of the speedier 3-year-olds this year, Al Shira'aa Farms' Ocean Jewel (Ire) (Sioux Nation) passed a stern test against the older brigade on Thursday as she captured Leopardstown's G3 TRI Equestrian Ballycorus S. Stretching out to seven furlongs, having finished third behind The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Ocean Quest (Ire) (Sioux Nation) in the G3 Lacken S. over six at Naas last month, the Willie McCreery-trained half-sister to the 1000 Guineas heroine Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) was able to use her sprinting prowess to stay close to the early pace in second. Committed by Billy Lee passing two out, the 16-5 shot saw out the finale strongly to score by 1 1/4 lengths from the veteran stalwart Real Appeal (Ger) (Sidestep {Aus}).
Also second to smart compatriot Beauty Crescent (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the Listed Blenheim S. at Fairyhouse in September, having won her Down Royal maiden with authority earlier that month, Ocean Jewel is unexposed and full of promise at this trip and possibly beyond according to McCreery. “She's improving the whole time and everything worked out perfectly tactically,” he said. “I did think about the Commonwealth [Cup], but I thought 'let's not take on the boys this year' and it that was her first time over seven and Billy [Lee] said she hit the line very well.”
“She's a very sharp filly and I loved the way she settled,” the winning trainer added. “The world is her oyster and we'll take our time with her. We have next year with her and we'll try a group 1 before the year is out. We'll stick to seven this year and might go a mile next year. It's a big weekend for Kieran [Lalor, Al Shira'aa's racing and bloodstock manager]. He bought this filly a couple of years ago and he bought the second favourite for the French Oaks, Jannah Rose.”
Pedigree Notes
Ocean Jewel's aforementioned half-sister Mother Earth, who was also successful in the G1 Prix Rothschild and placed in seven other top-level contests including the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, was Al Shira'aa Racing's first winner in Ireland last term and a perfect launchpad for the operation in the country. The listed-winning and group-placed dam Many Colours (GB) (Green Desert) is also responsible for the G2 Premio Dormello winner Night Colours (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). From the family of the leading sprinter and sire Dandy Man (Ire) and the Royal Ascot group-placed pair Patience Alexander (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Cheerupsleepyjean (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), her full-brother to Mother Earth named Bamburgh (Ire) was a €80,000 purchase by Johnston Racing at the Goffs Orby.
Thursday, Leopardstown, Ireland
BALLYCORUS S.-G3, €52,500, Leopardstown, 6-15, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:30.10, gd.
1–OCEAN JEWEL (IRE), 122, f, 3, by Sioux Nation
1st Dam: Many Colours (GB) (SW & GSP-Ire, MSP-UAE, $276,926), by Green Desert
2nd Dam: First Of Many (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Star Profile (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€230,000 Ylg '21 GOFOR). O-Al Shira'aa Farms; B-Grenane House Stud (IRE); T-Willie McCreery; J-Billy Lee. €31,500. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, $56,231. *1/2 to Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), G1SW-Eng & Fr, MGSW & G1SP-Ire, GISP-US, $1,460,919; and Night Colours (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), GSW-Ity, $139,607. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Real Appeal (Ger), 135, g, 6, Sidestep (Aus)–Runaway Sparkle (GB), by Green Desert. (€7,500 Wlg '17 ARQDEC; £265,000 2yo '19 GOFLON; 130,000gns 5yo '22 TATAHI). O-Shamrock Thoroughbreds, Dooley Thoroughbreds & J P Cleary; B-Gestut Kussaburg (GER); T-Adrian McGuinness. €10,500.
3–Carrytheone (GB), 135, g, 6, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Song Of Passion (Ire), by Orpen. (50,000gns Ylg '18 TAOCT). O-Any Excuse For A Holiday Syndicate; B-Pevens Racing (GB); T-Johnny Murtagh. €5,250.
Margins: 1 1/4, SHD, SHD. Odds: 3.20, 20.00, 4.00.
Also Ran: Mutasarref (GB), Agartha (Ire), Spring Feeling (Fr). Scratched: Power Under Me (Ire), Coachello (Fr).
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