The Group II Queen Mary Stakes (5f) for two year-old fillies at Royal Ascot produced an interesting result with Quick Suzy (Profitable) defeating Twilight Gleaming (National Defense), both fillies from the first crop of Group I winning sons of Invincible Spirit.
Brought across from North America, the Wesley Ward trained Twilight Gleaming was sent out favourite following an easy debut win at Belmont last month and looked the winner until overpowered by Quick Suzy.
The Gavin Cromwell trained Quick Suzy was a little more seasoned with three previous runs under her belt including a last start Group III second at Naas and she drew clear at the finish to win by a length and a quarter.
“Quick Suzy was very good today and travelled so sweetly. I knew she would get to the line and probably outstay the American horse. She was very genuine and is a very good filly,” said winning rider Gary Carroll.
The first Royal Ascot runner for her trainer Gavin Cromwell, Quick Suzy was bought for 20,000 euros from the Goffs Autumn Online Yearling Sale last year by Aoife Dunphy and runs for Eclipse Thoroughbreds.
Quick Suzy is the first winner for Snooze, a winning half0sister by Marju to stakes-winner Aria de Festa, the dam of Group III winner Aria Importante.
She is the first stakes-winner and one of eight first crop winners for Darley based Profitable, who stands at Kildangan Stud in Ireland at a fee of 10,000 euros.
Twilight Gleaming is the first stakes performer for her sire National Defense, who will shuttle to Widden Stud Victoria this spring at a fee of $9,900.
The Invincible Spirit sireline has been to the fore at Royal Ascot with Group I success on day one for Palace Pier (Kingman) and Oxsted (Mayson).
