A close-up fourth in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) at her most recent start, Princess Duhallow opened her winning account in Saturday’s Listed Furphy Trophy (1000m) at Flemington.
That’s the way to break the maiden (image Grant Courtney)
Ridden by Michael Dee for Ben and JD Hayes, the daughter of Shalaa (IRE) held the fast-finishing Written Tycoon debutant Butch Cassidy by a length with the Starspangledbanner filly Treasurway a half-neck back in third.
Princess Duhallow spelled after a well-beaten fifth in the Listed Debutant Stakes at Flemington won by King’s Gambit.
Off the scene for 19 weeks, she led but ran out of gas late in the Talindert Stakes.
JD Hayes said Princess Duhallow benefitted from a more conservative ride.
“She’s a very fast filly, and we did think that she’s a 1000-metre specialist because she is so fast and brilliant,” Hayes said.
“She was a little bit tardy away, so I think that played into the different tactic, and Mick Dee summed it up so well.
“He could win on a broomstick at the moment. He really summed it up, and she was strong late. We couldn’t be more thrilled.
Proud of herself (image Grant Courtney)
“It is timely to have a winner on the eve of a sale that we purchased her.
“That was a very professional performance, and we’re very happy.”
A $100,000 pinhook for Supreme Thoroughbreds from the Riversdale draft at the National Weanling Sale, the daughter of Shalaa (IRE) was knocked down to Lindsay Park Bloodstock for $160,000 from the Supreme Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Princess Duhallow is the first winner from two to race for the winning Denman mare Duhallow.
A $75,000 purchase for Botty’s Bloodstock when offered by Willow Park at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale, Duhallow is a half-sister to stakes-winner Sabie (Exceed And Excel) and stakes-placegetters Ankaret(Desert Prince) and Graskop (Manton).
Duhallow has a yearling colt by Exceedance, a withdrawal from the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
After foaling a King’s Legacy colt last spring, Duhallow was covered by Wild Ruler.
Princess Duhallow is the 12th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s Shalaa (IRE).