There’s scarcely a better sight in racing than seeing a grey thoroughbred gallop at full stretch, and David O’Meara has revealed his plans for the star grey mare Estrange.
The daughter of Night Of Thunder confirmed the promise of her debut season when landing a pair of Group contests last season. It was surprising to see her contest the Yorkshire Oaks on a firmer surface. However, she emerged with credit when a three lengths second to Minnie Hauk, giving her 9lbs. The winner franked the form generously when second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
A dirty scope put her out of Arc contention, but she signed off with an excellent second to Kalpana on Champions Day. David O’Meara gave the Racing Post an update on her, and discussed his plans for her season. “She went back to her owners at Cheveley Park for six to eight weeks” said O’Meara. “The team there have done a great job. She’s come back looking really well and I may well start her where I did last year.”
Estrange began last season with a four length win in the Group 3 Lester Piggott Stakes at Haydock. Ground could play a pivotal part, as O’Meara noted he will keep her away from quick conditions. “I do have an entry for her in the Pretty Polly in Ireland” he added. It “comes between the two races at Haydock, and may be looked at this year depending on the ground. She wants to be keeping away from very quick conditions. But good ground is okay and good to soft is probably slightly better.
“I’d love to go for the Arc in the Autumn” – David O’Meara
The grey mare has conjured up £423,968 in prize money in just seven starts, and another lucrative season looks likely. “She’s very lightly raced and we couldn’t have been more pleased last season. But from what we’re seeing we think she’s come back better” said O’Meara.
“I thought at Ascot she didn’t have the kindest of draws. I’m not sure whether we’d have beaten Kalpana or not, but on the round course draw one isn’t ideal. You generally tend to get hemmed in a bit, which was the case.”
With Haydock and Ireland the early aims, O’Meara already has Longchamp set in his sights.”I’d love to go for the Arc in the autumn. She had a dicky scope last season and everything has to be spot on for a race like that. It’s a hard race to win when everything is in your favour, never mind when there are variables. I think we’ll run her against her own sex until then and it’s lovely to have an older mare like her in the team.”
Estrange’s sole entry is in the Middleton at York on Dante week given the race was an early closer. As the ground is often quick there, it’ll be no surprise to see her reappear at her beloved Haydock.