Godolphin's 800,000gns Galileo filly Mary Somerville set for Kempton debut

Godolphin's decision to end their self-imposed embargo on the progeny of Coolmore stallions has already borne fruit on the racecourse, with Beyond Reason, a 370,000gns Rabbah Bloodstock purchase by Australia, winning the Group 2 Prix du Calvados, while Art Du Val, a son of No Nay Never, and Line Of Duty, a colt by Galileo, also got off the mark on their most recent outings.

The next phase of Godolphin's reset relationship with Coolmore looks set to come at Kempton on Monday, when Mary Somerville makes her debut in second division of the Matchbook/British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes over 7f (4.10).

The John Gosden-trained daughter of Galileo will carry the colours of Sheikh Mohammed's wife, Princess Haya of Jordan, after Godolphin signed for the well-related filly at 800,000gns at Book 1 of last year's Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, where she was offered by her breeder Newsells Park Stud.

Mary Somerville is the first foal produced by Maureen, a daughter of Holy Roman Emperor whose own racing career included victories in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at two and the Fred Darling Stakes on her three-year-old reappearance.

Maureen wins the Fred Darling StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Mating Galileo with mares who were talented juveniles has reaped rich dividends in recent times, with the likes of Churchill, Gleneagles, Hydrangea and The Gurkha all being by the perennial champion sire and out of two-year-old stakes winners.

The Galileo-Holy Roman Emperor cross has produced three winners from five runners, most notably the stakes-winning siblings Johannes Vermeer and Elizabeth Browning, who landed the Group 1 Criterium International and the Group 2 Kilboy Estate Stakes respectively.

The outcome of Monday's race could have a significant bearing on the results in the auction ring at the upcoming Goffs Orby Sale, as Baroda and Colbinstown Studs will offer Mary Somerville's Galileo yearling sister on behalf of Newsells Park. The filly is catalogued as lot 397.

Maureen also has a colt foal by Yeomanstown Stud kingpin Dark Angel.

Mary Somerville is not the only well-bred debutante in the field, as Juddmonte are set to introduce the Amanda Perrett-trained Abanica.

The filly is by Iffraaj and out of Abated, an unraced daughter of Dansili and sister to Bated Breath, winner of the Group 2 Temple Stakes and sire of talents such as Beckford and Worth Waiting.

Abated is also a half-sister to Dubai Duty Free Stakes hero Cityscape, while further back this is the family of Gimcrack Stakes winner Ajaya.

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