A talented performer by Windsor Park Stud's former shuttler Mastercraftsman (IRE), four-year-old mare Amazing Maria continued her impressive form when
denying the favourite Ervedya in the Group I Prix Rothschild (1600m) at Deauville on Sunday.
Last seen when landing the Group I Falmouth
Stakes at Newmarket for trainer David O'Meara, Amazing Maria was settled midfield by Olivier
Peslier as the race progressed at a steady gallop.
At the halfway stage Ervedya remained prominent under Christophe Soumillon, but
as the runners fanned out close to home Amazing Maria reeled in the favourite to
score by a comfortable length and a quarter.
A homebred for Sir Robert Ogden, Amazing Maria is out of Messias Da Silva, a
daughter of Tale Of The Cat who cost Sir Robert $700,000 as a two-year-old.
Amazing Maria is one of three Group One winners from the first crop of
Mastercraftsman, which also boasts the Classic winners Kingston Hill and The
Grey Gatsby among its number.
A four-time Group One winner, Mastercraftsman shuttled to Windsor Park Stud in
New Zealand for four seasons where his leading progeny include Wakeful Stakes
winner and VRC Oaks runner-up Thunder Lady, in addition to Group Three winners
Upham, The Auld Floozie and Choice.
Mastercraftsman's final crop of Southern Hemisphere yearlings will go under the
hammer in early 2016. - NZ Racing Desk