Sacred Bridge, Full Sister to Viadera, Wins on Debut

Juddmonte homebred Sacred Bridge, a full sister to American grade 1 winner Viadera , wasted no time in finding the winner's circle. The daughter of Bated Breath  crossed the finish line 1 1/2 lengths the best in her June 23 unveiling, a six-furlong maiden race for 2-year-old fillies at Naas Racecourse in Ireland.

Ridden by Colin Keane for trainer Ger Lyons, favored Sacred Bridge was mid-pack early in the 10-horse field and advanced along the outside. She was able to get to the lead, but ran green during the last furlong. Despite that, she was clear across the line in a time of 1:12.76 on a course rated good.

Sacred Bridge was bred in Great Britain out of the Beat Hollow mare Sacred Shield, a half sister to stakes winner Double Crossed, dam of European champion older horse Twice Over , and to Clepsydra, dam of group 1 winner and group producer Passage of Time  as well as group 1 winner Timepiece .

Lyons trained Sacred Shield's daughter Viadera in Europe before Chad Brown took over her training in the United States. Viadera closed out 2020 with three straight wins—the De La Rose Stakes, Noble Damsel Stakes (G3T), and Matriarch Stakes (G1T). 

Sacred Shield is also dam of the Dansili  gelding Crossed Baton , a stakes winner who is multiple group placed. She produced another filly by Bated Breath in April.