Rhododendron, a full-sister to Bush Hill Stud’s young sire Flying The Flag, will ensure there is plenty of South African interest in the Gr1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly this Sunday.
The daughter of Galileo, who is bidding to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with yet more classic success in 2017, has been second in two classic races already this year (QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Investec Oaks) and will be looking to go one better when lining up under jockey Ryan Moore in Sunday’s 2110 classic.
Rhododendron was one of the best 2yo fillies in Ireland last season, and won three of five outings, including the Gr1 Dubai Fillies Mile and Gr2 Breast Cancer Research Debutante Stakes. The daughter of Galileo has already banked over £600 000 and could well be in for another lucrative payday on Saturday.
Her full brother Flying The Flag, himself winner of the Gr3 eFlow “You First” International Stakes, stood his first season at Bush Hill in 2016, and his eagerly awaited first foals will arrive later this year.
Halfway To Heaven (Pivotal), dam of both Flying The Flag and Rhododendron, was a top-class racemare whose wins included the 2008 Gr1 Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas and Gr1 Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes.
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