Hopes rest on Cotai Glory filly after dam of A'Ali succumbs to colic

There was a sad postscript to the victory of A'Ali in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at Deauville on Sunday, after it emerged his dam Motion Lass had succumbed to colic last week.

The hopes of the late mare's owner Andrew Davis now rest with her Cotai Glory filly foal, who is said to have coped well with the loss of her mother.

"It was pretty gutting what happened to Motion Lass," said Daniel Creighton, who keeps Davis's mares and foals at Salcey Forest Stud in Warwickshire.

"Her filly foal was old enough that I didn't have to get a foster mare for her and I was able to wean some other January foals and they've got grouped up together, so she's got some horses to run with.

"She's taken it all pretty well. She's didn't scream very much and thankfully did not get too stressed about the whole situation. It's a credit to her mentality.

"She's a superb foal and I've said that ever since she was born, even before A'Ali won at Royal Ascot. She's an absolute cracker.

"The fact Andrew [Davis] still has a filly helps offset the loss of the mare in a small way."

Davis teamed up with Matt Eves of Star Bloodstock to secure Motion Lass, a Motivator half-sister to Darley Stakes scorer Enforcer, for the bargain sum of 9,000gns at this year's Tattersalls February Sale through Creighton.

Eves suggested purchasing the nine-year-old mare having pinhooked A'Ali at last year's Goffs UK Premier Sale.

The son of the late Society Rock had impressed the consignor greatly ahead of his £135,000 sale to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock at this year's Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale.

Davis, an owner with Henry Candy, took outright ownership of the mare before A'Ali, who was bred by Tally-Ho Stud where his sire stood, announced himself as a leading juvenile through wins in the Norfolk Stakes and Robert Papin.

The colt's latest success earned him a Racing Post Rating of 112, with Siskin the only juvenile with a higher rating in Europe so far this season.

A'Ali, who benefited from exceptional Frankie Dettori rides at Ascot and Deauville, boasts a number of Group 1 engagements with his trainer Simon Crisford citing the Prix Morny as his next possible target.

A'Ali (nearest) struck again in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at Deauville on SundayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Motion Lass's first foal is the three-year-old Kodiac gelding Slowmo, the winner of a Bath novice stakes over the minimum trip last year, and her Cotai Glory filly could make it three winners from as many runners should she eventually race.

The mare was not pregnant at the time of her untimely death, having failed to get in foal after visiting the subfertile but high-achieving stallion Farhh earlier this year.

Davis, who intended to have Motion Lass covered by the recently retired Blue Point early next year, insured the mare after her son's Royal Ascot heroics and looks set to retain her filly foal.

Related stories:

Inside knowledge enabled A'Ali dam to be bought for just 9,000gns

Dettori in command as A'Ali storms home in Prix Robert Papin

More cause to regret early death of Society Rock as A'Ali lands Norfolk