Foxwedge Mare Wins G1 Pretty Polly

Tara Madgwick - Monday July 2
Newgate Farm's Foxwedge starred overnight in Ireland when his quality four year-old daughter Urban Fox downed this year's Epsom Oaks winner Forever Together to win the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh.

Prepared by William Haggas, Urban Fox settled just behind the leaders and then powered to the line for Daniel Tudhope to win the 1m2f contest by more than three lengths in a commanding victory.

FoxwedgeIt was the first Black Type win for Urban Fox, who had been stakes-placed four times previously including a third in the Group I Newmarket Fillies Mile and was a last start fourth at Royal Ascot in the Group II Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

"Urban Fox ran very well in the Duke of Cambridge at Royal Ascot and William thought the step up in trip would suit her well," said Maureen Haggas, wife of trainer William Haggas.

"Royal Ascot can be hard on a filly however they run but she put the weight she lost back on quickly and we knew she was in good form.

"The staff at home have done a brilliant job with her. We couldn't be confident – we were taking on the Oaks winner – and we're just hoping our filly would run well and that she might get placed.

"I spoke to William shortly before the race and he said to me that he didn't think [running the filly] was a good idea. I told him it was too late and that I had the jockey standing in front of me and ready for action!

"I'm just thrilled to bits for the owners and I couldn't be more pleased. She's a beautiful filly and will make a lovely broodmare for her owners when she goes to stud."

Urban Fox was bought by her current owners South African based Barnane Stud for 425,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year and now has the overall record of five wins from 18 starts.

Urban Fox is the best of five winners from Lomapamar, a Nashwan half-sister to Group II winner Mons and to the dam of Australian stakes-winner Pronto Pronto.

She is the eighth stakes-winner and third Group I winner for Foxwedge joining Foxplay and Volpe Veloce.

The Group I winning son of Fastnet Rock has sired over 90 Australian winners this season including 11 stakes horses and stands this spring at a fee of $22,000.


Advertisment
More Reading...
MRC Committee Returned Unopposed
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed the results of the 2025 nominations for the MRC Executive Committee and the Mornington Advisory Group (MAG), which will be formally ratified at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on 25 September.
$3.3million Gun Runner Colt Tops Keeneland September Day 1
Keeneland’s 2025 September Yearling Sale began Monday with double-digit gains while posting a record average price of $653,208 and selling 15 horses for $1 million or more led by a colt by Gun Runner for $3.3 million to M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm. The average topped the previous record $611,038 for a single session set during Day 2 in 2024, and the number of seven-
Soft Win for Foxwedge Mare
Quality Foxwedge mare Into the Abyss has been taking on tough Black Type races since resuming from a spell and dropped back to midweek grade at Warwick Farm on Monday was able to return to winning form with a powerful victory under 60kg.
Waller Army Leads Cox Plate First Acceptances
Defending champion Via Sistina is among 21 horses champion trainer Chris Waller still has in contention for the $6 million 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, following the closure of first acceptances on Tuesday.
Vale, Ryan Smith
Victorian breeding farm Kulani Park are mourning the loss of partner and family member Ryan Smith.
Star Foxwedge Mare Chasing Another G1 Before Retirement
Volpe Veloce gave trainer Graham Richardson one of his biggest moments in racing when she won the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) two years ago and he is hoping to finish her career on a similar high.
15th Stakes-Winner for Foxwedge
Talented Foxwedge mare Foxy Housewife has always threatened to win a Black Type race and the six year-old made the quantum leap at Wyong on Friday when taking out a hugely competitive $140,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes.
Star Kiwi Foxwedge Mare Primed for G2 Theo Marks
Group One winner Volpe Veloce will have the opportunity to continue an impressive streak when she lines-up in the Group II  Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Mulberry Racing Purchase $550,000 Colt at Keeneland September
Australian based Mulberry Racing featured on the buyers list during the first session of the Keenland September Yearling Sale purchasing a colt by Quality Road for $550,000.
Cogburn Sire Not This Time on Fire at Keeneland September
If you have been considering sending a mare to Widden Stud’s exciting new shuttle sire Cogburn (USA) or have already booked one in you are going to be pretty interested in what is going on at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week where his sire Not This Time is in hot demand.