Qatar Racing's sister to Classic hero Kameko among exciting newcomers at Salisbury on Thursday

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

Kingsclere

British EBF Quidhampton Maiden Fillies' Stakes (3.20 Salisbury, Thursday)

What's the story?

Kameko was a top-notch racehorse and has made an exciting start to his second career for Tweenhills, with his progeny headed by Stonehenge Stakes winner New Century and Acomb Stakes runner-up Wimbledon Hawkeye. 

There could be another chapter too, for Qatar Racing and Andrew Balding combine with his sister, the eyecatchingly named Kingsclere, at Salisbury on Thursday. 

How's she bred?

The two-year-old is by the late Kitten's Joy and is the ninth foal out of Rock Of Gibraltar mare Sweeter Still, winner of the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at Hollywood Park during her own racing career. 

Sweeter Still is a half-sister to Racing Post Trophy winner and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes third Kingsbarns, as well as Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial scorer Belle Artiste and the stakes-placed Elizabethofaragon. 

Sweeter Still is the dam of two winners, headed by Kameko. A $90,000 purchase by David Redvers from the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Kameko made an instant impact with success in the Futurity Trophy at two going alongside his debut score at Sandown that July. He went on to land the 2,000 Guineas in 2020 and also won the Joel Stakes back at the Rowley Mile that autumn. 

Kameko before his win in the 2020 2,000 GuineasCredit: Edward Whitaker

He retired to Tweenhills for 2021 at an opening fee of £25,000 and stood this year for £15,000. Kameko has sired ten individual winners to date, including Listed scorer New Century and the dual Group-placed Wimbledon Hawkeye.

Who does she face?

Kingsclere's rivals include Gulya, a Night Of Thunder filly who sold to Sumbe for 200,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. The juvenile is out of Roman Venture, a Holy Roman Emperor sister to Irish 2,000 Guineas and Prix Jacques le Marois winner Romanised, now standing at Haras de Bouquetot with his first two-year-olds.

Ralph Beckett and Ryan Moore team up with Requisite, Doreen Tabor's Wootton Bassett filly from the family of Arc heroine Solemia who sold to Alex Elliott for 400,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1. 

Another Book 1 offering, albeit being bought back for 135,000gns, is the well-related Bated Breath filly Take A Breath. The William Haggas-trained youngster is a sister to American Grade 3 scorer Simply Breathless and American Listed winner Breath Away, as well as a half-sister to another stakes performer in Serious Notions. 

What else is on the card?

The preceding Byerley Stud Novice Stakes (2.50) is often a race to note, having been won recently by subsequent Australian Group 1 scorer Circle Of Fire (2022), Horris Hill Stakes winner Kenzai Warrior (2019), Coronation Cup runner-up Salouen (2016) and Gran Premio Del Jockey Club victor Ventura Storm (2015).

Bluestocking's half-brother lines up at SalisburyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

This year's field includes Juddmonte newcomer Dissident, a son of Frankel who has already had the cruellest cut, but is out of Matron Stakes winner Emulous, making him a half-brother to 2024 Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner and King George second Bluestocking. The Camelot filly was also second in last year's Irish Oaks and British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

Nightime Dancer is by Darley's world champion racehorse and first-season sire Ghaiyyath and descends from the family of Dubawi and Dubai Millennium. He is out of Sea The Stars mare Stella D'italia, a daughter of the Group-placed Shamardal mare Ragsah, a half-sister to Dubai Millennium. 

Read more: 

‘It’s the stuff of dreams’ – 15-year-old in clover as first-time pinhooker turns €7,000 foal into 70,000gns sales star

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