Cheaply bought Dandalla proves a royal bargain with Albany Stakes romp

There were some big pedigrees in this year's Group 3 Albany Stakes, with the likes of War Front, No Nay Never and Kodiac represented, but the cheaply bought Dandalla blew them all away to score by a deeply impressive six lengths.

The result not only provided Ballyhane Stud's Dandy Man with a second Royal Ascot winner, following on from his first-crop son Extortionist's victory in the 2013 Windsor Castle Stakes, but fuelled talk of a potential Classic campaign next year.

Winning trainer Karl Burke said: "She has plenty of stamina on the dam's side and I think that came into play today and hopefully that will come into play again in the future with maybe the 1,000 Guineas. If Dandy Man is going to have a 1,000 Guineas winner, it could be her."

He added: "This is a great result and it's great to get a two-year-old winner here. I think we have done well with the two-year-olds over the last ten years. To go and buy one for €22,000, our daughter Kelly will be absolutely delighted as she bought her at the sale."

Dandy Man: Ballyhane Stud sire was on the board with DandallaCredit: Ballyhane Stud

The filly's stunning victory should also be a source of optimism for breeders operating on a budget, as she was bred by Robert Norton from the winning Elnadim mare Chellalla, who was picked up for just 7,500gns at Tattersalls in December 2014.

Chellalla possesses a modest enough page, with her Italian Listed-winning half-sister the only bold black type among Dandalla's first two dams, while her peak Racing Post Rating of 82 came when seventh in the Premio Regina Elena at Capannelle. The dam is also a half-sister to Cortese, who was Listed-placed over 1m7f.

However, Dandy Man, who started out at a fee of just €4,500 in 2010, made his name by upgrading his mares and now stands at a career-high €15,000.

Dandalla becomes Dandy Man's tenth Group/Grade winner, joining the likes of elite-level performers La Pelosa, successful in the Natalma Stakes, Hong Kong Sprint victor Peniaphobia, Frank E Kilroe Mile Stakes scorer River Boyne and the much-missed 1,000 Guineas runner-up Lady Kaya.

She was conceived in 2017, the first year her sire's fee had moved up to €10,000, and is among 122 foals in his current crop of two-year-olds.

Despite a delayed start to the Flat season, Dandy Man has already sired four juvenile winners in Britain and Ireland, including Happy Romance, who is around 8-1 for Saturday's Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes.

Norton isn't the only character in this story with an eye for a bargain, as Dandalla herself twice changed hands for relatively small sums before blossoming into a Royal Ascot-winning two-year-old.

She was pinhooked by LS Bloodstock for just €15,500 at the Goffs November Foal Sale, before Kelly Burke picked out the filly at the Tattersalls Ireland Yearling Sale and the gavel came down with a bid of €22,000.

More to read...

Battleground gives 'magic mare' Found her first winner in Chesham Stakes

Stallion prospects in short supply as Lord North wins Prince Of Wales's Stakes

Thunder rumbles at Ascot as Molatham gives a rising star his first Royal winner