Qatar Racing buys into Shisospicy, who will run next in Royal Ascot Group 1
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Qatar Racing has acquired part-interest in Shisospicy. The multiple turf sprint stakes winning 3-year-old filly will be pointed to the Group 1 Commonwealth Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 20, her connections announced Tuesday.
Qatar joins ownership of Shisospicy with Morplay Racing, the racing operation of Rich and Josh Mendez, which put out a statement on the sale and plans on Tuesday.
“Morplay Racing is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with international racing partnership Qatar Racing, who was acquired a stake in the hottest turf filly Shisospicy,” the release stated. “This collaboration follows Shisospicy’s commanding victories in both the Limestone Stakes at Keeneland and the Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill Downs, making her one of the promising turf fillies in the nation.”
Shisospicy, a daughter of Mitole trained by Jose D’Angelo, has won 4 of 6 starts to date. After going 1 for 3 on dirt, Shisospicy won a turf allowance at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 5 followed by a half-length victory in the Limestone on April 11 and a 4 1/4-length score in the Grade 3 Mamzelle on May 10.
“She is a gifted and talented filly,” D’Angelo said in a release. “We’re very excited about Shiso’s campaign . . . . We believe she can be competitive at the highest level. After her impressive victory in the Mamzelle Stakes, demonstrating a strong performance, we are confident in her ability to compete at Royal Ascot against top male contenders.”
Qatar Racing, the racing operation of Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani, has horses in Europe and the U.S. Among its top U.S.-based runners are the Grade 1-winning sprinter Nakatomi, who most recently was second, beaten a neck, in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen for Wesley Ward, and Just a Touch, a two-time allowance winner this year for Brad Cox who is targeting the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga on June 7.
D’Angelo said that after Royal Ascot, Shisospicy would have a race this summer at Kentucky Downs and run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.
“It’s an ambitious plan, but we truly believe in her talent and potential,” he said.
Last year, D’Angelo sent out the 2-year-old Gabaldon to a second-place finish in the Windsor Caste at Royal Ascot for Soldi Stable. Qatar Racing bought a part-interest in that horse after the Windsor Castle. Gabaldon finished third in the Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream in March, but has not yet run or worked back.
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