Written by Paul Vettise
A former star Australian performer has made a further impression from afar with her son posting an impressive victory in Ireland.
Multiple Group 1 winner Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock) is the dam of Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who broke his maiden when he downed a field of 17 over 1600 metres at Naas.
He began well to settle in behind the leaders and once he was into open air in the run home he lengthened stride smartly in the closing 200 metres to earn a short-head decision.
Russian Emperor made an immediate impression on winning jockey Seamie Heffernan, who believes he can make his future mark in the strongest of company.
“He had a lovely run last year, he’s a fine, big colt,” he said. “When he switched out and the penny dropped he won well.
“Aidan’s could improve an awful lot, not through fitness, but just because they hibernate through the winter. He’s a Group horse and if he gets a mile and a-half he’s top notch.”
“He’s a Group horse and if he gets a mile and a-half he’s top notch.” – Seamie Heffernan
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the colt was making his first appearance since he finished third on debut at The Curragh last July and is raced by breeders Coolmore, Laurie Macri and partners.
Atlantic Jewel won 10 of her 11 starts when trained in Melbourne by Mark Kavanagh, including the G1 Thousand Guineas, G1 All Aged S., G1 Memsie S. and the G1 Caulfield S. Her sole defeat came when runner-up behind Dundeel (NZ) in the G1 Underwood S.
Atlantic Jewel when racing
On retirement, the half-sister to the G1 Thousand Guineas winner Commanding Jewel (Commands) was sent to Europe to begin her breeding career and she has a 100 per cent record so far with Pacific Ocean (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) also a winner.
She has a 2-year-old daughter of Galileo (Ire) waiting in the wings and a yearling colt, also by the champion sire, and is now back in Australia and in foal to Triple Crown winner Justify (USA).
Her family received another major boost at Rosehill on Saturday when I Am Excited (I Am Invincible) won the G1 The Galaxy. She is out of a half-sister to Regard (Zabeel {NZ}), the dam of Atlantic Jewel.
