When Ariette Du Rue lines up at Wolverhampton on Saturday night, she’ll open another chapter in the fledgeling history of Phoenix Ladies Syndicate.
Now in the care of Newmarket trainer Ed Vaughan, having started her career in Dubai, the filly will be the first British trained runner to carry the Orange and White silks of “PLS”.
Since having their colours carried to victory by Walking Thunder, Superior and Golden Jaguar in the UAE during their first season in operation, the all-female group have gone from strength to strength expanding their interests into other racing jurisdictions. Irish trained Forever In Dreams gave the Ladies reason to celebrate with her second-place finish behind Advertise in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, while Backshot recently became their first runner in the US. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Ladies name will soon be listed as owners next to runners in Australia with some of their string closing in on debuts.
“All of our Ladies are looking forward to having our first British trained runner take to the track,” said Phoenix Ladies Syndicate Principal Pamela Cordina. “Ariette Du Rue was a bit of a favourite among our members in Dubai; she is stunning and has a wonderful temperament. We’re all just hoping she can run as good as she looks on Saturday!”
The Saturday run sees the Ed Vaughan trainee take her place in a seven-furlong handicap at Dunstall Park under champion jockey elect Oisin Murphy. The Street Sense filly showed a steady progression in four runs in Dubai with her performances leading the team behind the ambitious syndicate to conclude a switch to the UK would suit her.
“She’s adapted to her routine with us very well, she’s a very sweet filly to deal with, and she seems very straight forward,” explained Vaughan. “She came in from Dubai, and I’m very pleased with how she looks ahead of her first run in Britain. She’s done well physically, grown a bit and looks in really good condition. She’ll come on for the run but has worked on the surface, so I’ve no worries about that.
“We’re drawn very wide, but hopefully, over seven furlongs that won’t matter so much, she travels very well and should have the gate speed to get out and slot over.”
Ariette Du Rue Rue is drawn in stall 11 and scheduled to face 11 rivals in the race due off at 7.20pm local.