BC Internationals: Juvenile Fillies Turf contender Madam Dancealot

First on the also-eligible list, Madam Dancealot is expected to draw into the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) field with the defection of one of Aidan O’Brien’s trio, Promise to Be True, who finished third in a French Group 1 on Sunday.

Madam Dancealot figured to be speedy and precocious. She’s from the first crop of Sir Prancealot, who retired to stud after his juvenile campaign highlighted by a victory in the 2012 Flying Childers (G2). She’s also turned out to be a windfall for her recent connections.

Failing to attract any interest at an Ascot two-year-old sale, Madam Dancealot was privately acquired by trainer Joseph Tuite. She was overlooked at 22-1 in her debut for at Chester, but exceeded expectations to finish second to Richard Hannon’s colt Mehmas, who developed into one of the leading early-season juveniles.

As a result, Madam Dancealot became an unexpectedly hot commodity. She sold for $112,580 at Goffs London on the eve of Royal Ascot, but remained with Tuite. In her first start for her new owner, she tired to ninth behind Lady Aurelia in the Queen Mary (G2) on soft ground that didn’t suit many.

But Madam Dancealot would provide a return on investment, beginning with a Newbury maiden win back on firmer ground. After being blown away by Fair Eva in the Princess Margaret (G3), she lowered her sights to a Ripon conditions race and just missed to the colt Phijee.

Tuite’s long-term plan was to set Madam Dancealot for the Dick Poole Fillies’ (G3) at Salisbury, and she proved well spotted when springing a front-running upset at 10-1.

 

That was another timely coup in advance of an auction. Touring the ring nine days later at the Goffs Champions Sale, Madam Dancealot fetched $292,032, and headed to Richard Baltas.

While Madam Dancealot has a better chance of prospering on the Southern California circuit than she would if she’d stayed at home, she’s a cut below the level of form required for the Breeders’ Cup. And being by Sir Prancealot, you’ve got to wonder if she’s already reached her high water-mark at two. Her buddy Mehmas called it a career himself by late September. I’m tempted to view her as an advertisement for Tuite’s managerial skills – a juvenile project who turned a profit.

“That was her Derby day, winning at Salisbury, and now might be the time to cash in,” Tuite said of entering her in the Goffs Champions Sale.

Photo courtesy of Irish Champions Weekend via Twitter