The world’s best three-year-old filly, Atlantic Jewel made a stunning return to the racecourse today with a breathtaking win in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes at Randwick.
Starting for the first time since demolishing Mosheen and Co in the Wakeful Stakes in the spring, Atlantic Jewel extended her unbeaten run to six with an arrogant win.
The Mark Kavanagh trained daughter of Fastnet Rock is now a clear favourite for the Australasian weight-for-age championship, the WS Cox Plate.
Over shadowing the AJC Derby as the day’s highlight, Atlantic Jewel’s performance had racegoers and scribes alike searching for superlatives.
Awesome. Amazing. Incredible. Breath taking. Sensational. Brilliant. It didn’t matter which word was used, they all applied.
Allowed to settle off the speed during the early stages of the 1200 metre contest, Atlantic Jewel worked her way around the field before rider Michael Rodd asked for an effort in the straight.
In a matter of three strides Atlantic Jewel had reeled in the leaders and raced to the lead. The final margin of three and three quarter lengths could easily have been double.
And the winning time of 1 minute 8.96 seconds was a race record.
“She is just a special horse,” an awe struck Mark Kavanagh said. “She makes me speechless.”
“Just look at her today, it was remarkable what she did out there. She sat four deep, Roddy was just arrogant and she just strode away.”
“It is fabulous.”
“I don’t know what the plan is now. The original plan was to give her one more (run) and then put her away till the spring.”
“There horses don’t come along very often.”
“The last time I was so excited about a girl I married her and I can tell you I think this one a lot too.”
Regular rider Michael Rodd expected Atlantic Jewel to win today and he thinks she will only get better as her distances increase.
“We all know she is a great horse, but Kav has done a wonderful job with her.”
“He has been really patient. Her injury may not have been career threatening, but he really brought her along and cuddled her and cuddled her and just waited for today.”
“We all know the Spring Carnival is where her main goal is.”
“Everything she has been doing at home is so exciting and we couldn’t really talk about it, but we were just waiting for today to get her out here and let her produce her best.”
“It was really arrogant. She began really well and then she just switched off as she normally does.”
“I just let the reins go and gave her a squeeze and she took off. That is probably her top, but the beauty of it is that she will get better as she gets further.”
The filly, by red hot sire Fastnet Rock, was presented by Vinery Stud at the 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where she caught the eye of the team from Coolmore Stud – the stud which stands Fastnet Rock.
Their esteemed international based agent Demi O’Byrne went to $320,000 to secure the classic looking yearling and he, wisely, retained an interest.
Sharing in the ownership are Susan Magnier’s Coolmore Syndicate, Michael Kirwan, Mathilde Texier, Laurie Macri and MV Magnier.
From the Zabeel mare Regard, Atlantic Jewel has already earned over $680,000 during a perfect career. That figure looks destined to balloon over the coming months.
Winner: Atlantic Jewel
Breeding: Fastnet Rock-Regard (Zabeel)
Race: ATC Sapphire Stakes G2 (1200m)
Sold for: $320,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Vinery Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Demi O’Byrne
Earnings: $682,925
Owner(s): Coolmore (Mgr: Mrs S Magnier), LM Macri, MJ Kirwan, Ms M Texier, C Murphy, MV Magnier & Arkle (Mgr: DL O’Byrne)
Trainer: Mark Kavanagh (Flemington)
