Star Catcher's half-sister Maurimo makes weekend Newbury debut

Precious few mares have become more accomplished in the paddocks than the late Lynnwood Chase, whose two-year-old daughter Maurimo makes an eagerly-awaited debut at Newbury on Saturday.

Anthony Oppenheimer bought the internationally-related daughter of South African champion Horse Chestnut for €140,000 as a yearling and although there were negligible returns from her brief racing career, she has produced three Royal Ascot stakes winners.

Her most recent has become her most successful, with Star Catcher taking the Ribblesdale Stakes before the Irish Oaks and the Prix Vermeille.

Lynnwood Chase had earlier produced Hampton Court and Canadian International winner Cannock Chase and Pisco Sour, who also clinched the Hampton Court as well as the Prix Eugene Adam.

Oppenheimer still has a yearling filly by Frankel back at Hascombe and Valiant Studs, with Lynnwood Chase's final foal being a colt by Time Test.

Maurimo is by the in-demand Kingman and has been sent to Roger Charlton. She is still owned by Oppenheimer but leased to race in the colours of Miranda Beaufort and partners.

Lying in wait for her in division two of the SIS Family Fun Day EBF Novice Stakes is another Kingman, Raaeq, who finished second on his debut at Salisbury, while John Gosden fields a well-related Lope De Vega colt, Haqeeqy.

"She's quite immature still," Charlton explained. "Star Catcher got well beaten first time out as a two-year-old and it's just going to be a case of 'see how we go'. There are no huge expectations at this stage."

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