First offspring out of multiple Group 1 winner Rhododendron set for debut run

The wonderfully named Rhododendron blossomed on the track for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners, and connections will be hoping the daughter of Galileo can be equally successful in her second career.

That scenario will start to be put to the test in the Ryans Cleaning Waste And Recycling Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden at the Curragh on Wednesday (5.10), when Auguste Rodin makes his first start for O'Brien in the colours of Michael Tabor.

The two-year-old's dam needs little introduction as the winner of three top-level events from four black-type wins, namely the Fillies' Mile, Prix de l'Opera and Lockinge Stakes.

The daughter of Galileo was also second to the brilliant Enable in the Oaks at Epsom, when in torrential rain her rival did rather benefit from racing against the far-side rail, albeit the winning margin was five lengths, and to stablemate Winter in the 1,000 Guineas.

Rhododendron is the fourth foal out of Halfway To Heaven, a daughter of the great and hugely influential Cassandra Go and the winner of the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Sun Chariot Stakes and Nassau Stakes.

That makes Rhododendron a sister to the prolific and popular Magical, whose wins included the Irish and British Champion Stakes and British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, as well as Group 3 winner Flying The Flag.

Halfway To Heaven is a Pivotal half-sister to Tickled Pink, the winner of two Group 3 events, and Summer Stakes scorer Theann, the dam of dual American Grade 1 winner Photo Call and Richmond Stakes victor Land Force.

Cassandra Go, a daughter of Indian Ridge who struck in the King's Stand and Temple Stakes, is a half-sister to Coventry Stakes scorer Verglas.

Auguste Rodin is set to face ten rivals on his racecourse bow, including Dubawi Spectre, a son of Dubawi out of Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Spectre, who sold to BBA Ireland and Yulong for 410,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1; Victoria Road; a once-raced son of Saxon Warrior out of Halfway To Heaven's half-sister Tickled Pink; and Arabian Legend; by Night Of Thunder and from the family of top-class filly Coronet.

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