Racing returned to Ireland on Monday with progressive American Pharoah (USA) filly Elfin Queen beating a field of 18 to win by more than six lengths at Naas, her success sure to prick the ears of a number of Aussie breeders.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Seamie Heffernan, Elfin Queen placed once in three starts last season, but showed she was a much stronger filly now with this dominant performance over a mile.
Elfin Queen is the ninth winner from nine to race from Group II placed Pretty ‘n Smart, a blue hen whose presence has spread to Australia.
The co-most expensive filly sold from American Pharoah’s first crop when bringing $1.2 million at the Keeneland September Sale in 2018, Elfin Queen is a half-sister to Group I winner Cupid and Group winners Ashley’s Kitty (USA) and Heart Ashley(USA), who are interestingly both here in Australia at stud owned by Kia Ora Stud.
Ashley’s Kitty has a weanling colt by American Pharoah and both she and Heart Ashley have a number of daughters at stud here, so no doubt there will be plenty of interest from several Australian breeders to see if Elfin Queen can progress to Black type races.
Elfin Queen is the 40th winner for American Pharoah, who is the sire of seven stakes winners and 18 stakes horses in total led by Group II winners Four Wheel Drive and Sweet Melania
He returns to Coolmore Australia in 2020 at a fee of $55,000.
