The Patrick Gallagher-trained Red Lark, an Irish-bred daughter of Darley Stud’s Epaulette, made her first stakes victory count at the highest level in Saturday’s $US252,500 Del Mar Oaks.
After failing to win in five starts in Ireland last year, Irish Lark was switched from Johnny Murtagh to Patrick Gallagher to resume her career in California.
After breaking her maiden at Santa Anita in February, the daughter of Epaulette has been consistent at stakes level without breaking through. She finished fourth in the Grade III Honeymoon Stakes, second in the Grade III Wilshire Stakes on June 20 and was third, beaten a length, behind her Del Mar Oaks rivals Carpe Vinum and California Kook in a allowance optional claimer at Del Mar on July 20.
With Drayden Van Dyke in the saddle, Red Lark settled just off midfield before becoming a menacing presence when fourth on the home turn.
After disposing of Warren’s Showtime (Clubhouse Ride), Red Lark safely held the challenge of the late finishing California Kook (Boisterous) by a length.
"The allowance race here set her up well, and she came out of it good,” Gallagher told the Blood-Horse.
“I was confident in the filly. I knew she was happy and all, but I didn't know if she was good enough. She needed to run the race of her life, and she did.
"Drayden (Van Dyke) had her in a great spot all the way, and when he asked, she responded and was good enough."
Bred by Mrs. S. M. Rogers and Sir Thomas Pilkington and raced by Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Red Lark was offered for sale twice in 2018 and could not find a buyer.
She becomes the best of 11 winners out of the Darshaan mare Firecrest who won the Listed Galtres stakes at York.
Red Lark becomes the 14th stakes-winner for Epaulette and the second Group 1 winner after the South African Soqrat.
A dual Group 1 winning son of Commands, Epaulette last shuttled to Ireland in 2018 where he covered just 32 mares.
He stands at Darley Stud’s Hunter Valley base at Aberdeen where his fee this season has been set at $22,000.
