English based Bernardini filly Theyskens’ Theory will be set for Royal Ascot after her last-start victory in the LR Michael Seely Memorial at York.
Theyskens’ Theory (3f Bernardini – Heat Lightning by Summer Squall) resumed from a winter spell with a three length victory over Sylvestris (Arch) last FRiday. “You never want to be too confident beforehand, but it was the right race for her,” trainer Brain Meehan stated. “She will now go for the Coronation Stakes on June 17.”
Theyskens’ Theory won the G3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood and was then G1 placed in the Meon Valley Mile at Ascot in September before travelling to Churchill Downs for an honourable sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Her three-quarter brother Stevie Wonderboy had won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in 2005.
“She’s owned by Andrew Rosen who lives in New York,” Meehan added. “He’s been a tremendous supporter of mine but, ultimately, wants his horses to run over there.”
Bernardini missed out in the Kentucky Derby when To Honor and Serve fell by the way a fortnight before the Run for the Roses. He is trained by Bill Mott and finished last year with G2 wins in the Nashua Stakes and Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct.
The Darley sire’s other classic colt Stay Thirsty, who was a G3 winner of the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct in March, finished in the second half of the field at Churchill Downs and isn’t among the provisional field for the Preakness Stakes this Saturday.
Bernardini’s first Australian bred stock will be two year-olds in 2011-12. They sold to $450,000 at the most recent majors with a colt from Bint El Noor topping the list. He was bought by Bart Cummings and is a from an unraced half-sister to G1 winning mare Shamekha.
Bernardini will stand for a $38,500 service fee at Darley Kelvinside in 2011.