After hacking up by six lengths at her only start at two, Ejaabiyah, a daughter of Frankel and the Golden Slipper winner Estijaab, fell two and a quarter lengths short of catching Godolphin's exciting Shamardal filly Diamond Rain in the Listed Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial Stakes (10f) at Newbury on Saturday.
Ridden by William Buick for Charlie Appleby, Diamond Rain kept up a relentless gallop down the middle of the track to defeat the Emirates Park colourbearer with Juddmonte's Siyouni filly Siyola one and a quarter lengths back in third.
Diamond Rain is unbeaten in two starts, having made a winning debut over a mile at Ascot on May 1. The daughter of Shamardal holds an entry for the Irish Oaks.
"I was prepared to let her bowl along in front, but she did get a lead which was nice and she stepped up on her debut. This is more her trip I think and she's coming forward all the time. She doesn't feel like she's anywhere near the finished article yet.
"She’s very straightforward and Charlie has been very pleased since Ascot. She’s got a few options open for her now.”
Emirates Park’s highly regarded runner-up Ejaabiyah holds entries for the Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, Ribblesdale Stakes, and Coronation Stakes.
Her trainer, Roger Varian, was happy enough with the run.
“She ran a lovely race, she’s a lovely filly and still a bit green and took her time to come to hand this spring,” he revealed.
“The winner looked nice and the fifth was rated 88 so I think it was a strong little field of fillies. Our filly has shown up well, we’re really pleased with her and will improve from today.”
Diamond Rain is a half-sister to multiple Group II winner and multiple Group 1-placed Magic Lily (New Approach) and Listed winner and Group 1-placed Jalmoud.
Her dam, Dancing Rain (Danehill Dancer), was the Champion 3YO Filly in GB in 2011 (Int./Long). Her four wins included the Group 1 Epsom Oaks and Group 1 Düsseldorf Preis der Diana.
Dancing Rain is a three-quarter-sister to Sumora (dam of Gr 1 winner Maybe (dam of Saxon Warrior), and Gr III winner and multiple Gr 1-placed Promise To Be True).
