Canford Cliffs mare Princess Posh has given local trainer Kris Lees his first win in the Gr3 Newmarket at Newcastle, a day before he saddles three horses in the Gr1 race with the same name at Flemington.
Ridden by Brenton ,the mare prevailed in a tight finish by a half head over Godolphin’s Savatiano with the Lees-trained Invincible Gem another length third.
Lees missed the race as he was on his way to Melbourne where In Her Time, Brave Smash and Graff will contest Saturday’s famous Newmarket Handicap on the straight course at Flemington.
Princess Posh – a terrific broodmare prospect
Australian Bloodstock manager Jamie Lovett said Princess Posh, who also beat Savatiano to win the Group Three Tibbie in September over 1400m on her home track, was probably at the end of her racing career.
“It was probably her last race,” Lovett told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“She is likely to go to the (broodmare) sale now.
“She has been a great horse for the owners. It’s a thrill to win this race.”
She was an A$25 000 purchase out of the Phoenix Broodmare Farm draft at the 2015 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
A half-sister to two winners, Princess Posh is out of the winning Viscount mare The Baroness who is a half-sister to Gr3 Millie Fox Stakes winner A Country Girl out of the dual Listed stakes-winner Verdict Declared.
A most imposing bay, Canford Cliffs (IRE), who shuttled from 2012-16, stands at Ridgemont Highlands.
Canford Cliffs is currently responsible for more than 20 stakes performers with his top runners including group winners Most Beautiful, Painted Cliffs, Al Jazi, the above mentioned Cliff’s Edge, the mentioned Princess Posh, and Princess Asta, as well as the dual Oaks placed Harlequeen.
Canford Cliffs, whose handful of South African runners include Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes winner Fish River and Derby hero Dorset Noble, stands his second season on African soil this year.
