There are just four two year-olds in Australia by Darley’s much missed champion sire Shamardal, all fillies bred and owned by Godolphin, and one of them broke her maiden at Newcastle on Thursday.
The James Cummings trained Larkspur run was second at her first two runs in town behind Hi Hi Hi and O’President, so always looked a good thing in this 1300m maiden and was sent to the post a short priced favourite.
She went forward for Rachel King to stalk the leader and was strong to the line to win by half a length over her stablemate Gymnastics (Medaglia D’Oro).
A homebred for Godolphin, Larkspur Run is the second named foal for Aspen, a winning half-sister by Exceed and Excel to Group II winner Ghisoni from Group II winner Portillo.
Aspen started her stud career in Europe for Darley and her first foal by Dark Angel, a filly called Stormy Mountain is a two time winner in France and the UK.
Aspen was returned to Australia in foal to Shamardal with Larkspur Run the result of that mating.
She has since produced two fillies by Ghisoni’s sire Lonhro and was covered last spring by Shamardal’s champion sprinter Blue Point (IRE).