NEWS
Dar Re Mi hits another high note at York; Sariska flat
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009 3:50 PM
by Myra Lewyn
Lord and Lady Andrew Lloyd Webber’s homebred Dar Re Mi won her second consecutive race at the highest level when she easily held back dual classic winner and favorite Sariska for an upset victory on Thursday in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-G1) at York.
Dar Re Mi was second to Lush Lashes in last year’s edition of the race with Oliver Peslier aboard but would not be denied in her second attempt under Jimmy Fortune.
After tracking pacesetter Barshiba, Dar Re Mi eagerly rallied and lengthened stride three furlongs out on Fortune’s cue. She repelled a momentary bid from Roman Empress and never looked in danger of being caught by Sariksa, who after tracking from fourth and fifth had little response when called upon by Jamie Spencer and could not overcome the winner.
Dar Re Mi covered 1½ miles in 2:30.98 on turf rated as good for her second victory from three starts this season for trainer John Gosden.
In her previous start, the four-year-old Singspiel (Ire) filly led nearly every step of the way in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes (Ire-G1) on June 27 at the Curragh, but had to work hard to outfinish Beach Bunny to prevail by a nose and earn a starting spot in the $2-million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) on November 6 at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series.
Three-year-old Sariska, who was making her first start against older opponents in the Yorkshire Oaks, finished 1½ lengths in front of third-place finisher Roman Empress.
Sariska was aiming for a fourth straight victory this season and entered off back-to-back wins in the Investec Epsom Oaks (Eng-G1) on June 5 and Darley Irish Oaks (Ire-G1) on July 12.
Trainer Michael Bell initially said the faster ground at York on Thursday may have contributed to her defeat, then later revealed that she was in season, which he said could have been a contributing factor as well.
“It’s a very significant factor,” Bell told Racing Post. “There were no signs before the race, and being in the race has triggered it. It’s something to bear in mind.”
Fortune said Dar Re Mi was a tough filly to beat on Thursday.
“I wanted to get her to stride on 2½ to three furlongs out and really make Sariska work for it, and it’s worked,” Fortune told Racing Post.
Dar Re Mi was competitive against some of Europe’s top fillies last season, finishing in the top three in all eight of her starts, including a runner-up to eventual European Horse of the Year Zarkava in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Fr-G1). Gosden said that 2,400-meter (11.93-furlong) race on September 13 at Longchamp this year will be her next goal.
“If she runs a big one there, we’ll think about something mad like the [Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) on October 4 at Longchamp],” Gosden added.
Dar Re Mi is one of 58 winners this season for Singspiel, who stands at Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket. His top runners of 2009 include Eastern Anthem, winner of the Nakheel Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) in March at Nad al Sheba.
Out of the French Group 1 winner Darara (Ire), by Top Ville, Dar Re Mi is a half sister to Hong Kong champion River Dancer (formerly Diaghilev) and represents the immediate family of French champion, classic winner, and leading sire Darshaan.
Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
