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...
Applications open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship
Young professionals in the thoroughbred breeding industry have a unique opportunity to enhance their careers, with applications now open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship.
Foxwedge Fillies Show Their Class
A new addition to Woodside Park in Victoria this spring, Foxwedge showed his class over a big weekend of racing producing Group performers at three successive meetings starting last Friday night at Moonee Valley where up and coming three year-old filly Villami ran a terrific race at her first outing away from Sydney.
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.
Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale - New Record Price - Yulong, Too Darn Hot Feature
The Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale eclipsed its previous records for highest price, average and turnover with the second session headed by the 1,750,000 guineas sale of a colt by Havana Grey to Amo Racing and a further three lots realising in excess of 500,000 guineas.
One to Watch – UK 2YO
Super interesting winner at Newmarket on Thursday was a Godolphin homebred two year-old colt by Wootton Bassett (GB) that won on debut and is on track for Royal Ascot.
Kiwi G1 Winner Grail Seeker Adds G1 All Aged Mix
Grail Seeker has added two Group One victories to her record this season and she will attempt to make it a third when she heads to Randwick on Saturday to tackle the All Aged Stakes (1400m).
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.
Sires With Winners - Friday April 18
Here is the full list of 47 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
A busy set of trials at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning featured five heats for juveniles with winners including unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Hellbent and Bivouac.