On May 18, Matilda added her name to the list of fillies who have taken the boys to the woodshed in a Classic race. Sent after the Coolmore City of Troy German Two Thousand Guineas (GER-G2) in only her third lifetime start, the filly showed an explosive turn of foot in the final 300 meters and easily cleared off from her eight rivals to win the 1600-meter race by 6½ lengths for owner-breeder Volker Kaufling, trainer Yasmin Almenrader, and jockey Frida Valle-Skar (who, like her mount, was scoring her first black-type success). Over a course rated as good, Matilda posted a final time of 1:33.89.
Matilda is the latest star from the Minnie Hauk branch of the great Best in Show family, which has been featured in a previous “Mares on Monday” post on January 21, 2019 (“War of Will Strikes Winning Note for Minnie Hauk”). Six years is a lot of time in the bloodstock world, and this branch has been quiet of late—quiet, at least, by the standards of one of the top families of modern times.
Matilda descends from Minnie Hauk through her daughter Aviance (by Northfields), who won the 1984 Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes (IRE-G1) for Robert Sangster before producing multiple Grade 1 winner Denon (by Pleasant Colony), multiple Group 1 winner Chimes of Freedom (by Private Account), and Group 1-placed stakes winner Imperfect Circle, who distinguished herself as the dam of 1996 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) and 1997 Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Spinning World (by Nureyev). Imperfect Circle also produced French listed stakes winner Visions of Clarity (by Sadler’s Wells), dam of 2010 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Pathfork (by Distorted Humor), 2019 Preakness Stakes (USA-G1) winner War of Will (by War Front), and listed stakes winner Tacticus (by A.P. Indy).
Chimes of Freedom fared equally well in the paddocks, producing 2004 American champion sprinter Aldebaran (by Mr. Prospector), 2002 Atto Mile Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Good Journey (by Nureyev), 2003 Jenny Wiley Stakes (USA-G3) winner Sea of Showers (by Seattle Slew), and listed stakes winner Tomisue’s Indy (by A.P. Indy). Both Sea of Showers and Tomisue’s Indy disappointed in the paddocks (though Tomisue’s Indy is the granddam of stakes winner Striking Tomisue, by Smart Strike).
While daughters and granddaughters of Sea of Showers and Tomisue’s Indy are still in production, it has been left to Modesty Blaise, a non-winning full sister to Tomisue’s Indy, to carry the family banner forward. She is the dam of multiple Group 3-placed French stakes winner Poupee Flash (by Elusive Quality) and of the gelded High Noon Rider (by Distorted Humor), winner of two restricted stakes races. Modesty Blaise is also the dam of Modesty’s Way (by Giant’s Causeway), who produced Matilda (a daughter of four-time Group 1 winner Soldier Hollow, by In the Wings) as her seventh foal.
Matilda is showing evidence of being a character as well as a highly talented racer, having come home with her tail swishing as though she were using it for a propeller. She displayed the same behavior in her maiden win, so perhaps it is simply her way of waving “goodbye” to her field. At this point, given the speedy proclivities of her female family, she seems more likely to be a miler than a potential Deutches Derby (GER-G1) contender, especially when it is considered that her sire stayed 2000 meters well but did not care for longer trips against top company. Regardless of where she turns up next, she will be an interesting one to follow through the European racing year.
Matilda is the latest star from the Minnie Hauk branch of the great Best in Show family, which has been featured in a previous “Mares on Monday” post on January 21, 2019 (“War of Will Strikes Winning Note for Minnie Hauk”). Six years is a lot of time in the bloodstock world, and this branch has been quiet of late—quiet, at least, by the standards of one of the top families of modern times.
Matilda descends from Minnie Hauk through her daughter Aviance (by Northfields), who won the 1984 Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes (IRE-G1) for Robert Sangster before producing multiple Grade 1 winner Denon (by Pleasant Colony), multiple Group 1 winner Chimes of Freedom (by Private Account), and Group 1-placed stakes winner Imperfect Circle, who distinguished herself as the dam of 1996 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) and 1997 Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Spinning World (by Nureyev). Imperfect Circle also produced French listed stakes winner Visions of Clarity (by Sadler’s Wells), dam of 2010 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Pathfork (by Distorted Humor), 2019 Preakness Stakes (USA-G1) winner War of Will (by War Front), and listed stakes winner Tacticus (by A.P. Indy).
Chimes of Freedom fared equally well in the paddocks, producing 2004 American champion sprinter Aldebaran (by Mr. Prospector), 2002 Atto Mile Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Good Journey (by Nureyev), 2003 Jenny Wiley Stakes (USA-G3) winner Sea of Showers (by Seattle Slew), and listed stakes winner Tomisue’s Indy (by A.P. Indy). Both Sea of Showers and Tomisue’s Indy disappointed in the paddocks (though Tomisue’s Indy is the granddam of stakes winner Striking Tomisue, by Smart Strike).
While daughters and granddaughters of Sea of Showers and Tomisue’s Indy are still in production, it has been left to Modesty Blaise, a non-winning full sister to Tomisue’s Indy, to carry the family banner forward. She is the dam of multiple Group 3-placed French stakes winner Poupee Flash (by Elusive Quality) and of the gelded High Noon Rider (by Distorted Humor), winner of two restricted stakes races. Modesty Blaise is also the dam of Modesty’s Way (by Giant’s Causeway), who produced Matilda (a daughter of four-time Group 1 winner Soldier Hollow, by In the Wings) as her seventh foal.
Matilda is showing evidence of being a character as well as a highly talented racer, having come home with her tail swishing as though she were using it for a propeller. She displayed the same behavior in her maiden win, so perhaps it is simply her way of waving “goodbye” to her field. At this point, given the speedy proclivities of her female family, she seems more likely to be a miler than a potential Deutches Derby (GER-G1) contender, especially when it is considered that her sire stayed 2000 meters well but did not care for longer trips against top company. Regardless of where she turns up next, she will be an interesting one to follow through the European racing year.
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