Brazilian Group I Double for Elusive Quality
Description:
Darley's Central Kentucky-based sire Elusive Quality was represented by winners in two Brazilian group I races, both classics, Nov. 8.
Three-year-old filly Birkin Bag won the Grande Premio Diana (Brazilian Oaks), and 3-year-old colt Bonaparte took the Grande Premio Derby Paulista (Brazilian Derby). Both races were run at Cidade Jardim in Sao Paulo.
Near the back of the pack down the backstretch of the about 1 1/4-mile Diana, Birkin Bag moved up the rail around the turn to be in contention, and ran down the leaders in the final strides to win by a neck. Finishing second was another daughter of Elusive Quality in Last Kiss, winner of the Grande Premio Henrique (Brz-I) at Cidade Jardim Oct. 5.
Birkin Bag is out of the Woodman mare Princesa Rafaela, who was group II-placed in Brazil. Her second dam, Sweet Eternity, was Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly in Brazil, and was a Brazilian Oaks winner herself.
In the Derby, Bonaparte was in midpack down the backstretch and moved up around the turn, taking the lead in midstretch. He drew away to win impressively by about five lengths in the about 1 1/2-mile test.
Bonaparte is out of the Know Heights mare Princesa Carina, who was a dual group II winner in Argentina. His dam is a half sister to 2007 Oak Tree Mile (gr. II) winner Out of Control, who was multiple grade I-placed in the United States.
Both Birkin Bag and Bonaparte were bred in Brazil by Stud TNT.
Elusive Quality is now the sire of 13 worldwide grade/group I winners. The 21-year-old son of Gone West will stand the 2015 breeding season at Darley in Lexington for $40,000 live foal, stands and nurses.