Newgate
Farm's Foxwedge starred overnight in Ireland when his quality four year-old
daughter Urban Fox downed this year's Epsom Oaks winner Forever Together to win
the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh.
Prepared by William Haggas, Urban Fox settled just behind the leaders and then
powered to the line for Daniel Tudhope to win the 1m2f contest by more than three lengths in a commanding
victory.
It was the first Black Type win for Urban Fox, who had been stakes-placed four
times previously including a third in the Group I Newmarket Fillies Mile and
was a last start fourth at Royal Ascot in the Group II Duke of Cambridge
Stakes.
"Urban Fox ran very well in the Duke of
Cambridge at Royal Ascot and William thought the step up in trip would suit her
well," said Maureen Haggas, wife of trainer William Haggas.
"Royal Ascot can be hard on a filly however they run but she put the
weight she lost back on quickly and we knew she was in good form.
"The staff at home have done a brilliant job with her. We couldn't be
confident – we were taking on the Oaks winner – and we're just hoping our filly
would run well and that she might get placed.
"I spoke to William shortly before the race and he said to me that he
didn't think [running the filly] was a good idea. I told him it was too late
and that I had the jockey standing in front of me and ready for action!
"I'm just thrilled to bits for the owners and I couldn't be more pleased.
She's a beautiful filly and will make a lovely broodmare for her owners when
she goes to stud."
Urban Fox was bought by her current owners South African based Barnane Stud for
425,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year and now has the
overall record of five wins from 18 starts.
Urban Fox is the best of five winners from Lomapamar, a Nashwan half-sister to Group II
winner Mons and to the dam of Australian stakes-winner Pronto Pronto.
She is the eighth stakes-winner and third Group I winner for Foxwedge joining
Foxplay and Volpe Veloce.
The Group I winning son of Fastnet Rock has sired over 90 Australian winners
this season including 11 stakes horses and stands this spring at a fee of
$22,000.