Carrying the colours of Evie Stockwell, the Tally-Ho-bred Glounthaune ran out the brilliant winner of the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday to become the fifth 2yo stakes winner of 2021 for Kodiac.
Glounthaune (pictured below as a yearling) had created a very good impression for Aidan O'Brien when beating Castle Star on his debut at the Curragh in April. He had a lengthy absence following that win and as such, wasn't disgraced on his return when sixth in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month. Backing up quickly on Saturday after that performance, he travelled kindly for Seamie Heffernan and took advantage of a gap through horses to quicken away for a cosy success over Penine Hills - also by Kodiac.
“He’s a very big colt by Kodiac who was an impressive winner but then went a bit weak and missed a lot of time," Heffernan told Irishracing.com.
“His work was nice going to the Dewhurst and he ran well without being placed. He came out of it fresh and Aidan was happy enough to let him take his chance today. He said that he’d improved and I was delighted to put on these colours (those of Mrs Stockwell) which have been very lucky for me.
“I’ve been a little bit disappointed with some of ours lately so I’d say this fella has loads to come and probably did well to win today. He showed a strong will and won well at the line.
“He has a bit of class and I think a mile is his trip.”
Glounthaune's win contributes to an outstanding recent run for Kodiac that also includes Fast Attack (Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes), Bear Story (Group 3 Diamond Stakes), El Bodegon (Group 3 Prix de Conde) and Geocentric (Listed Legacy Stakes).
He becomes Kodiac's 77th stakes winner overall.
A 350,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase from us by MV Magnier, Glounthaune is out of Khaimah, a half-sister to the Classic-placed Motamarris and to the dam of Irish Derby winner Santiago. Further back, it is the outstanding Allegretta family of Urban Sea, Galileo, Sea The Stars and Tamayuz.
