The Aidan O'Brien trained Santa Barbara is now the new 1000 Guineas favourite after the Ballydoyle maestro released a glowing report on the progress of his filly.
The three year old daughter of Camelot looks to be the new filly on the block for O'Brien that will be his big chance in this year's 1000 Guineas, like Love was last year.
Back in September 2020 she was seen for the first time on a racecourse winning an 18 runner maiden at The Curragh by close to three lengths.
The half-sister to Iridessa was saved for a three year old campaign off the back of that win and O'Brien has expressed how well she has come on during the winter and is very fond of her ahead of the 1000 Guineas.
👏 What a ride from Seamie Heffernan & a nice win first time out too
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 26, 2020
🇺🇸 California dreaming over at the @curraghrace as Santa Barbara (Camelot), a half-sister to Iridessa, makes a stylish winning debut for team @Ballydoyle
Results & free replays ➡ https://t.co/sBcsavHpYf pic.twitter.com/rNIVQAsFQ8
(Credit ATR) Speaking in a stable tour on Attheraces.com, he said: “She’s done unbelievably well in physical terms over the winter. She looks like a five-year-old colt. She goes through her work unbelievably well. She shows loads of speed and always worked with an awful lot of class.
“Whether we start her in the Guineas trial at Leopardstown or go straight to the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, we haven’t decided yet. We won’t over-race her, we’ll keep her runs to a minimum if we can, but she shows an unbelievable amount of class at home.
“In terms of her stamina, she’s by Camelot, so that will give her a chance to stay a mile and a quarter or maybe further, but she does show a lot of pace. She looked very pacy on her debut and she does that at home all the time. She just toys with horses in her work. We’re very excited by her.”
She is now the 6/1 favourite for the second Classic event of the flat season at Newmarket in May.