Ribchester half-sister to Big Evs set for Yarmouth debut on Wednesday

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

Queen Of The Roses

British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (2.30 Yarmouth, Wednesday)

What's the story?

Big Evs has been a joy to watch over two seasons, but the time is soon approaching when he will head off to stud. However, another member of the family could be ready to step up when she debuts at Yarmouth on Wednesday. 

Trained, like her illustrious Blue Point half-brother, by Mick Appleby, Queen Of The Roses will sport owner-breeder Jaber Abdullah's silk for her first racecourse foray. 

How's she bred?

Queen Of The Roses is by Ribchester and out of the placed Oasis Dream mare Hana Lina, a half-sister to Lowther and Diadem Stakes winner Lady Of The Desert, also placed in the Abbaye and Cheveley Park Stakes. Lady Of The Desert is the dam of another Lowther winner in Queen Kindly, herself the dam of Lowther second Queen Me. 

Lady Of The Desert and Hana Lina are in turn out of the unbeaten Queen's Logic, winner of the Queen Mary, Lowther, Cheveley Park and Fred Darling Stakes. 

Hana Lina has continued doing her bit for the family as the dam of Big Evs, winner of the Windsor Castle, Molecomb and Flying Childers Stakes last year. He claimed top-level honours last November in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita, while this year he has won the King George and Westow Stakes, as well as finishing third in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. 

Big Evs struck at the Breeders' Cup last NovemberCredit: Harry How

Hana Lina, the dam of two other winners, has a yearling colt by Earthlight and was covered by Havana Grey this year. 

Who does she face?

The filly's 11 rivals include Dash Of Azure, a Blue Point filly who was second to subsequent May Hill Stakes winner Desert Flower at Newmarket in July. Bred by Meon Valley Stud out of the winning Dylan Thomas mare Miss Dashwood, she is a half-sister to Queen's Vase victor Dashing Willoughby. Dash Of Azure had sold to Ralph Beckett for 240,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1. 

Another to note is the once-raced Maissara, Sumbe's Frankel filly out of Emma Banks' dual Listed winner Mrs Gallagher, by Oasis Dream. The Newbury fourth had cost Sumbe 425,000gns from the Tattersalls December Foal Sale when offered by New England Stud. 

Mamma Maria will need to improve after two efforts but that appears likely given her pedigree. The Carisbrooke Stud homebred is a half-sister to a winner and is out of the Dansili mare Mia Maria, a sister to Group 3 winner Carla Bianca and half to Listed scorer Joailliere, the dam of Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs.

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