Team Valor and Gary Barber’s recent acquisition Anshoda made a winning debut for her new connections in Saturday’s Prestige (G3) at Goodwood, a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).
Soft ground significantly altered the composition of the field. Four of the original 11 entrants were scratched, led by early favorites Formal and Tabiti.
Anshoda, who paid $9.40 stateside, was among those gaining more support in the readjusted market. The David Loughnane trainee was bet down to co-second choice with Aidan O’Brien shipper Merrily. Royalty Bay inherited the favorite’s role, but failed to shine in the testing conditions.
With rising star Billy Loughnane aboard, Anshoda secured a tracking spot as Duty First set the pace. The fillies tacked toward the stands’ side rail after turning into the stretch. Amid that maneuver, Merrily was a bit unlucky to have her path taken on the inside, and she ended up having to alter course around rivals to find room.
Meanwhile, Duty First continued to hold a narrow advantage. The compact group fanned out in pursuit, but most found it a tough slog. Biniorella Bay, Alice Fairfax, and Royalty Bay were all in contention, only to weaken in the closing stages.
In contrast, Anshoda just began to gain traction about a furlong from home. Finally reaching top gear, the Irish-bred overpowered Duty First and drew 1 3/4 lengths clear. Her final time for seven furlongs, 1:31.27, reflects the rain-sodden track.
Duty First salvaged second by a neck from Merrily, who arguably would have been closer with an uninterrupted run. Biniorella Bay, Royalty Bay, Alice Fairfax, and Ryka concluded the order of finish. Miss Fascinator and Troia were withdrawn due to the ground, like Formal and Tabiti.
Anshoda was bought by her trainer for a mere 5,000 guineas (about $6,578) at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale. The bay was similarly dismissed in her first two starts.
Initially sporting the colors of Nawaf Almutairi, Anshoda sprang a 33-1 upset in her debut on the Lingfield turf. She again outperformed her odds when runner-up in the July 25 Star S. at Sandown. Overlooked as the 66-1 longest shot on the board, Anshoda rallied strongly despite a checkered passage.
That attracted the attention of Barry Irwin’s Team Valor. Anshoda was snapped up privately to race in partnership with Barber, while remaining in Loughnane’s yard. The Prestige advanced her record to 3-2-1-0 with the promise of more to come, including a Breeders’ Cup tilt at Del Mar.
The first Group winner sired by the Invincible Spirit stallion Inns of Court, Anshoda is a half-sister to Group 3-placed Haikbidiac. Their dam, Silk Fan, is herself an Unfuwain half-sister to multiple Group 2-winning sire Gutaifan. This is the further family of Group 1 scorers Mustashry and Ventura Storm as well as millionaire Maraahel, a two-time winner of Royal Ascot’s Hardwicke (G2) who was also multiple Group 1-placed.
