The Kiwi domination of Group 1 contests this autumn continued at Morphettville on Saturday as the least experienced runner Ruthless Dame triumphed in the $500,000 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) for Fillies and Mares.
Ridden by John Allen for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the 3yo daughter of Tavistock defeated the 5yo Shamus Award mare Another Award by three-quarts of a length with a half-neck back to the luckless 4yo Brazen Beau filly Zapateo in third.
The winner of the Group III TBV Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Flemington last season at two, Ruthless Dame placed in the Group III Manfred Stakes at Sandown in January, Ruthless Dame defeated all but Sunshine In Paris in the Group 1 Surround Stakes at Randwick on February 25.
She headed south following a forgettable tenth in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill on March 11.
“Unbelievable,” Maher said. “We could have run her in the next race (Tobin Bronze Stakes), but she’s already been Group 1-placed, and we just thought she could have the last crack at them.
“She was nice and fresh and our team have done a super job with her.
Campbell Stott and the team of owners are great supporters of ours. “They’ve enjoyed good success over the years, and this tops it all off.
“A beautiful calm tide by Johnny Allen.
“She had pneumonia (after winning her first two starts) and was really sick and needed a long time off. Thankfully the vets did a great job to get her back.
“Campbell and I have often paired up to buy these New Zealand horses. Usually they’re horses that get up over a bit more ground than this, but I’m sure he’ll be happy with this one.
“She could go to the Tattersall’s Tiara or she could come back here for the Goodwood. There are plenty of options for her. We’ll just let the dust settle first. She’s a Group One winner now, and we can take our time to work out what’s going to suit her best from here.”
Bred by Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, Ruthless Dame was a $90,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Racing from the Curraghmore draft from Book 1 of the 2021 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale.
The daughter of Tavistock is the second winner from as many to race for the stakes-placed Keeper mare Ruthless Lady.
A $225,000 yearling purchase for David Ellis, Ruthless Lady is a half-sister to Group II winner Oracy (Zabeel) and dual Listed winner The Lady (Stravinsky).
Ruthless Lady’s dam Lady Dehere (Dehere) is a Group II winning half-sister to the triple Group 1 winner Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock), Group III winner and successful stallion Oratorio (Stravinsky) and Listed winner Discorsi (Galileo).
A Super Seth half-sister to Ruthless Dame failed to make her $100,000 reserve when offered by Curraghmore at Karaka this year.
After foaling an Ocean Park colt last spring, Ruthless Lady was covered by Sword Of State.
