Kiwis chasing royal result
New Zealand does not have a runner at Royal Ascot this year, but they will have a presence.
Bloodstock consultant Paul Moroney selected Dancing Brave Bear, who booked her ticket to the carnival with a runner-up finish in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes (2000m) at York on Wednesday.
A US$230,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, Moroney secured the Street Cry filly on behalf of the Ballymore Sterling Syndicate which is managed by his Melbourne Cup-winning trainer brother Mike.
Prepared at Newmarket by Ed Vaughan, Dancing Brave Bear won her only start at two over 1400m at Lingfield and started 2018 with a victory on the all-weather surface at Chelmsford over a mile.
Stepped up in class and trip last time out, Dancing Brave Bear showed she can be competitive at Royal Ascot next month where she will tackle the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes (2400m).
Mike Moroney’s Ballymore syndicate has already had a Royal runner when the Vaughan-trained Bartel finished close up in eighth in the Britannia Stakes (1600m), prompting a seven-figure private sale to Hong Kong.
“We formed a syndicate with myself and some long-term clients,” Moroney said.
“The thing that attracted us to Dancing Brave Bear was her physique – she’s a terrific sort and she has a pedigree to match.”
Dancing Brave Bear is out of three-time Group 3 winner Baghdaria, a Royal Academy half-sister to four stakes winners including the 2011 Preakness Stakes (1900m) winner Shackleford and the Group 1 Alabama Stakes (2000m) winner Lady Joanne.
“Now she has the Group form it obviously enhances her value, but the pleasing thing is that Ed expects her to improve again,” Moroney said. “It’s obviously extremely exciting and we are all looking forward to the Royal Ascot meeting and anticipating cheering home a Kiwi winner.”