SUPER SATURDAY FOR GOFFS MARES
12 February 2018
Indian breeders have long sourced their broodmares at Goffs
and Saturday saw their buys produce two Group 2 winners in Mumbai. B FIFTY TWO
won the feature Eclipse Stakes Of India for the second year running, chased
home by dual Group 1 winner and favourite Temerity, who was bought in utero at
Goffs.
Trained by Imtiaz Sait for a partnership, the three-time
Group winner is a half-brother to Group 2 Prix Greffulhe second Onerous. They
are out of Baileys On Line, a half-sister to Irish Oaks heroine Bolas, from the
family of Ascot Gold Cup hero Longboat. Hugo Merry sourced her for €11,000 at
the Goffs February Sale, where she was sold by Rathasker Stud.
Next to fly the flag for Ireland was the Dallas Toddywalla-trained
RUFFINA, who carried the Poonawalla family’s colours to victory in the Group 2
Dr S.C. Jain Sprinters’ Championship over six furlongs. The four-year-old beat
Lincoln, a son of Excelebration, by two and a quarter lengths, with a further
half a length back to Captain Courage in third.
RUFFINA now boasts a record of four Group victories,
including one at the highest level, along with a third in last year’s Indian
1,000 Guineas. Her dam, Miss Danehill (IRE), was catalogued at the Goffs
November Sale and has provided buyers with three black-type performers. The
daughter of Danehill Dancer comes from the family of dual Lockinge Stakes
winner Soviet Line (IRE), Park Hill Stakes heroine Quay Line and dual Oaks
winner Pure Grain.