Just Divine

[Wandering Eyes]

The G3 UAE Oaks winner Divine Image (Scat Daddy) was a league apart when adding the listed Al Bastakiya to her burgeoning CV with ease. The UAE Derby in three weeks’ time is now a possibility for the Godolphin filly, but so too is a Classic contest back in the land of her birth.

“We also have the Kentucky Oaks to take into consideration,” said winning trainer Charlie Appleby. “She’s a very talented filly, but she’s learning on the job and this was a team effort tonight. Before the race we had the discussion of if she were to win, we wouldn’t rush into [making a decision about the UAE Derby].”

Divine Image only made her first appearance on a racecourse on Dec. 13 but she ensured she made a favourable impression before boarding the flight for Dubai when winning over a mile at Chelmsford by six lengths. She had no answer for Silva (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), the wide-margin winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas, when finishing almost 10 lengths behind Pia Brandt’s filly for second, but she bounced back from that reversal with a sure-footed victory in the Oaks despite some early greenness.

With Brett Doyle taking over the reins from Willliam Buick, he dropped Divine Image in to a useful position on the rails just behind the leaders and was always handy as eventual runner-up Superior (Majesticperfection) took up the running from the home turn. Asked to quicken just over a furlong out, the winner soon thwarted any doubt as to the outcome, lengthening impressively to pass the post in clear daylight.

“That’s what we’ve seen from her. She’s a great finisher,” Appleby said. “She’s been tricky, but Brett’s been riding her the last two weeks since we knew William couldn’t do the weight. I’m delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed who is here this evening to see her.”

Doyle added, “It’s great to see it work all around. All through the winter, Charlie has done a great job with her. I’ve had the pleasure of riding her the last week or so. She’s an improving filly, who likes to get on with it. She’ll get better as she goes along, like she showed today.”

Pedigree notes
Divine Image’s success is a poignant tribute to her breeder Peter Magnier of Brittas House Stud, who died in January, three days before her Meydan debut. From the final crop of Scat Daddy, she is the first foal of the Malih Al Basti-bred Sure Route (GB) (Ishiguru), a treble winner as a 3-year-old for Richard Hannon who continued her racing in America and is out of an unraced half-sister to the listed winner and Group 3-placed Satulagi (Officer).

Though foaled in Kentucky, Divine Image has strong links to Ireland, not just through her breeder but also her pinhookers, the O’Callaghan family of Yeomanstown Stud. Bought at Fasig-Tipton’s October Yearling Sale for $125,000 after failing to sell at Keeneland a month earlier, she was then selected in France the following year by Godolphin for €360,000. Her potential return to Kentucky could mean that the Arqana Breeze-up Sale is represented by graduates in both the Oaks and the Derby, with leading 3-year-old colt War Of Will (War Front) having been sold on the same day in Deauville as Divine Image.

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