Cracksman's sister headlines interesting fillies' maiden at Doncaster on Friday

Our resident bloodstock experts profile the well-bred eyecatchers and expensive purchases set to grace the track.

Queen Of Thieves

British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes (2.08 Doncaster, Friday)

What's the story?

This race was won by subsequent Oaks heroine Soul Sister in 2022, while other smart performers to have struck in it recently include American Grade 2 scorer Mrs Sippy and Listed winners Vesela and Sea Of Roses. This year's renewal looks an intriguing one with a couple of regal newcomers, headed by Anthony Oppenheimer homebred Queen Of Thieves. 

How's she bred?

The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly is out of the Listed-winning Pivotal mare Rhadegunda, who hails from Oppenheimer's exceptional family of Coronation Stakes winner Rebecca Sharp, 1,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner On The House and Golden Horn, a champion with wins in the Derby, Eclipse, Irish Champion Stakes and Arc. 

Queen Of Thieves is therefore a sister to another Hascombe and Valiant-bred champion in Cracksman, a four-time Group 1 winner at three and four including two Champion Stakes. The world champion is now based at Darley's Dalham Hall Stud and has sired the unbeaten Arc and Prix du Jockey Club hero Ace Impact from his first crop.

Cracksman at Dalham Hall Stud Credit: Edward Whitaker

There is another Frankel sibling in Frantastic, who is now at stud in South Africa, while Rhadegunda has also produced Solario Stakes scorer Fantastic Moon. She has a Palace Pier yearling colt and was covered by Baaeed this term. 

Who does she face?

Another well-bred debutante in the race is Wonder Star, Childwickbury Stud's Sea The Stars filly out of German Listed scorer Waldnah. The New Approach mare is out of the Group 2-placed Waldmark, a half-sister to German Derby hero Waldpark. That makes Waldnah a half-sister to St Leger hero Masked Marvel and to Waldlerche, the dam of Arc victor Waldgeist and fellow Group winners Waldkonig and Waldlied. 

Wonder Star sold to Jill Lamb and Childwickbury for 200,000gns from breeder Newsells Park Stud at Tattersalls Book 1.

New Bay filly Janey Mackers was a fine third on debut for David Menuisier and should improve for that effort. She is a half-sister to Qatari Group 3-placed Fierospeed and out of Stor Mo Chroi, a Montjeu half-sister to multiple Group winner Solid Stone.

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