Ralph Beckett to take the wraps off pricey breeze-up purchase Dirty Dancer

Ralph Beckett is double-handed in Saturday's Kerrygold Irish Oaks at the Curragh, with Antonia De Vega and Manuela De Vega due to line up. But before then the trainer will take the wraps off another exciting filly in the shape of Dirty Dancer in the bet365 EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Newbury on Friday.

The daughter of No Nay Never was signed for by owners Westerberg at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale for €500,000. Bloodstock agent Jamie McCalmont was entrusted with bidding duties at Arqana, and after signing the docket he said: "Ralph Beckett will train the horse and she's been bought for a new client who's new to the business.

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"She's by No Nay Never, she did a great breeze and vetted very well. She's out of a Duke Of Marmalade mare, and Ralph has a good association with that sire having trained Simple Verse, so that angle really appealed to him. She was bought with breeding in mind, in the long term."

The two-year-old boasts a most progressive sales history, having been through the Arqana ring on three occasions. Having been bred by Fratini Allevamento E Corse, Dirty Dancer was first offered as a foal, when Astute Bloodstock signed the ticket at €52,000.

She reappeared at the following year's Arqana August Sale when she was acquired in private deal outside of the ring, with Magnolia Bloodstock forking out €80,000 to take her home.

Her third and most recent appearance at the sales came at the breeze-ups, where she fetched by far her highest price to date having been offered by Jim McCartan's Gaybrook Lodge Stud.

Jamie McCalmont (left) and Ralph Beckett sign for Dirty Dancer at the Arqana Breeze-Up SaleCredit: Zuzanna Lupa

The filly is the first foal out of Super Marmelade, a daughter of Duke Of Marmalade who landed two races in Italy during her own time on the track. Super Marmelade is a closely related sister to the Listed-placed Beau Vengerov, and in turn that pair are out of an unraced sister to dual Group 2 winner Crimson Tide.

Dual Group 1 winner Recoletos also appears beneath Dirty Dancer's third dam, as does Martyn Meade's useful performer Technician.

Dirty Dancer will be bidding to continue a hot run of form for No Nay Never's progeny, having recorded a notable Group race double at Newmarket through July Cup hero Ten Sovereigns and Superlative Stakes scorer Mystery Power.

Moreover, the son of Scat Daddy was also represented by two winning two-year-olds on Wednesday, with Verboten scoring for John Gosden at Yarmouth and Nope landing the odds for Jessica Harrington at Fairyhouse.

Other graduates of this year's Arqana Breeze-Up Sale have been in good form of late, with Godolphin's Summer Romance taking her record to two from two in the Listed Empress Fillies' Stakes and Qatar Racing's Guildsman following up an impressive debut success with creditable efforts in the Coventry and July Stakes.

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