'I think we might go for the Nunthorpe' - Persian Force's Pershaada dominant in the Molecomb

Persian Force's burgeoning stud career took another step forward on Wednesday when his daughter Pershaada captured the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The only filly in the field, the Tally-Ho bred youngster made the most of a gap between horses to burst through the field under Sean Levey and win going away by two lengths from the previously unbeaten Adonius. Tally-Ho breezer Hell Of A Spin also ran an excellent race to take third for Adrian Keatley.

Owners Middleham Park Racing bought Pershaada through Peter and Ross Doyle out of our draft at Book 1 of last year's Tattersalls October Sale. Appropriately trained by Persian Force's former handler Richard Hannon, she was previously successful at Goodwood before running a fine fourth in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

A crack at the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York could now beckon.

“I thought she’d run very well today, she’s been working very nicely," said Richard Hannon. "We trained the stallion, Persian Force, so it’s great for him.

“She’s a very talented filly and I think we might go for the Nunthorpe now. Lyric Fantasy (trained by Hannon’s father, Richard senior) did and she looks like she’s quick enough too.

“I’m delighted for the owners, this is a very, very good filly who we bought from (Tattersalls) Book 1.

“It seems to me that with the weight allowance she’ll have a great chance (at York).”

Sean Levey was also impressed. He said: "She showed how quick she is, she's pretty quick and she's just starting to learn how to race properly. She's just behind the bit now initially and that's the way you want them; in a rhythm and that's at a reasonable speed. At halfway she was starting to get a bit keen because the pace was starting to slacken a bit. Once she got the gap she was quick, she had plenty in reserve for running just behind the bit early doors and [she] finished strongly."

Persian Force is out on his own as Europe's leading first-crop sire by winners and prize-money. In addition to Pershaada, his stakes horses include the Group 3-placed Immortal Guard and Listed-placed What A Girl Wants.

Pershaada is the first foal out of the Requinto mare Mild Illusion, winner of the Listed Bosra Sham Stakes for the Old Stoic Racing Club.