Surprise as Polished Gem sparkles more brightly at stud than her star sister

The full-sisters Dress To Thrill and Polished Gem, both trained by Dermot Weld for Moyglare Stud, make a fascinating case study in the mysteries of thoroughbred breeding.

The older sister Dress To Thrill achieved a best Racing Post Rating of 113 and notched seven stakes victories including in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park and the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket, then a Group 2.

The four-years younger Polished Gem, also by Danehill out of Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Trusted Partner, looked full of promise when winning a back-end maiden at Leopardstown at two but she disappointed as a hot favourite in the Athasi Stakes on her three-year-old bow – Weld reporting she was in season – and after two further sound defeats she was retired with a peak RPR of 84.