Oaks double for Swettenham

Swettenham Stud bred filly Dancing Rain completed a classic double with a dominant victory in the G1 German Oaks at Dusseldorf on Sunday.  She scored by three lengths from Djumama (Aussie Rules) and Aigrette Garzette (Peintre Celebre).

Dancing Rain (3f Danehill Dancer – Rain Flower by Indian Ridge) won the G1 English Oaks in June and she was never in danger under a hands-and-heels ride from Kieren Fallon.

“Once in the lead and going easily, I knew nothing could catch me,” Fallon said.  “She must be one of the top three-year-old fillies over this trip in Europe.”

Dancing Rain is raced by Martin and Lee Taylor and was a 200,000 euros buy at the 2009 Goffs Orby yearling sale.  She is trained by William Haggas and is from the immediate family of Maybe.  The Galileo filly was a G2 winner of the Debutante Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

Dancing Rain is by Coolmore sire Danehill Dancer and she has Swettenham links going back to 1992 English Derby winner Dr Devious.

Swettenham is also in the mix for another Group 1 at Arlington this Saturday, August 13.  

Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien has nominated Roderic O’Connor for the Secretariat Stakes on the Arlington Million programme.

If he doesn’t travel to the United States, Roderic O’Connor has alternative engagements in the G3 Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown this Thursday or the G1 Juddmonte International and G2 Celebration Mile later this month.

Roderic O’Connor (3c Galileo – Secret Garden by Danehill) was bred by Swettenham’s Sangster family and he was a G1 winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas in May.