Dubawi’s Anna Nerium became her sire’s eighth Stakes winner of 2018 in winning the Listed Bet365 European Free Handicap at Newmarket on April 18. Not given much of a chance against her male counterparts, the filly won her second career Black type event at odds of 35-1. She had previously captured the G3 Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes last fall at Newbury.
Just about one hour later, other daughter Soliloquy became her sire's newest Group (and Stakes) winner when taking the G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes for Team Godolphin, also at Newmarket.
Jockey Tom Marquand had Anna Nerium positioned well in mid pack through the first five furlongs of her seven-furlong event and then began to close in on the leaders at that point. In the final quarter mile, Marquand veered the filly inside to get around the leaders and she pulled away to win impressively by a widening three lengths.
Anna Nerium was bred by Stowell Hill Ltd and is one of five Black type performers out of Anna Oleanda (Old Vic), also dam of G3 winner and Oaks d’Italia second Middle Club and Anna Nerium’s full brother Piping Rock, who won the G3 Horris Hill Stakes as a juvenile.
Soliloquy ran her race a bit differently as she sprinted from the gate and quickly gained the lead. That position didn't change throughout the race as she made every call a winning one and stayed on well for an impressive win.
Bred by Godolphin in England, Soliloquy is out of the multiple Stakes winner and G1-placed Dysphonia, a daughter of other Darley sire Lonhro.
Dubawi's seven other Stakes winners in 2018 include Benbatl, winner of the Dubai Turf on World Cup Day last month, and North America, winner of the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Stakes. Dubawi has sired a total of 96 Group or Graded winners, 35 of those coming at the highest level.
