Godolphin have been dominating the Northern Hemisphere classics in spectacular fashion on both sides of the Atlantic, but Coolmore had their turn at Chester overnight producing a homebred colt from a family with an Aussie offshoot and a sale-topping filly with Derby and Oaks aspirations.
The Group III Chester Vase (1m 4 ½ f) was won by the Aidan O’Brien trained colt Lambourn, whose sire Australia won the Epsom Derby in 2014.
A Listed winner in France at two, Lambourn was second in the Group III Ballysax Stakes when returning this year and then cruised home to win this assignment by a length and a half as favourite with Ryan Moore in the saddle.
“Lambourn looked a thorough stayer and while he was a little on and off the bridle, once the penny dropped he came home really strongly. He got the trip really well and he's gone through the line nicely,” said Aidan O'Brien.
“We'll just have to see how they all get on in the trials but we were thinking of sending him to Epsom as they learn so much when they go to Chester.”
Lambourn is the first winner from Group II placed Scat Daddy mare Gossamer Wings, a sibling to US Group III winner Baby J, stakes-winners Laureate Conductor and Lavender Chrissie as well as Childhood (USA), who has found her way to Australia and is the dam of Group II ATC Sapphire Stakes winner Infancy.
The Listed Cheshire Oaks (1m 3 ½ f) was won by the same trainer and jockey with expensive Frankel filly Minnie Hauk scoring her first Black Type victory at her third start and first run this year.
The flashy bay led for home and kept going to win by a length as favourite.
“The Oaks is the plan. Aidan always thought Minnie Hauk would improve a lot for this run. She's a very kind, uncomplicated filly with a great attitude. The step up in trip obviously helped and you'd be thinking of the Oaks,” said Coolmore representative Paul Smith.
“Ryan was niggling away just to get her interested, but she's kind and always answers to the jockey and she just kept on finding.”
Minnie Hauk was purchased by MV Magnier for €1.85million at the Goffs Orby Sale from the Camas Park Stud draft and topped the sale.
She is a half-sister to Group II winner Tilsit from blue-blood Dansili mare Multilingual, a sibling to 2014 European Horse of the Year and champion sire Kingman and Group IIII winner Remote from Group I winner Zenda.
