The Big Browns are winning the world over and the Vinery sire’s latest Irish winner arrived with first starter Military Angel at Roscommon on Monday.
Military Angel (USA) scored by more than a length in the Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Maiden (1400m) from Darley filly Devonshire and stablemate Blue Fragrance. She had to overcame a wide gate and then Fran Berry was forced to ride hands and heels after dropping his whip at the furlong.
“I really, really liked her coming here and had 100 quid each-way,” trainer Michael O’Callaghan said. “But I might put her away now if the owners let me.”
The debut winner is raced in the same interests as Military Attack, a Group 1 winner of the 2013 Singapore Cup and 2014 Hong Kong Gold Cup. “Fran said the ground was plenty quick enough for her,” O’Callaghan added. “He said she’s green but very nice.”
Military Angel was sold by Three Chimneys (as agent) at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale for $37,000. She’s from a sister to the dam of Group 1 winning mare Alexander Goldrun (Pretty Polly Stakes, Nassau Stakes, Prix de l’Opera & Hong Kong Cup).
Big Brown’s most successful Irish performer to date has been USA import Darwin. He transferred to Aidan O’Brien last year for wins in the G3 The Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh and LR Belgrave Stakes at Fairyhouse.
Darwin has been nominated for the G3 Concorde Stakes at Tipperary this Sunday and he also holds feature race entries for Newmarket and Ascot on October 17 and 18.
Fresh from siring his 10th stakes winner in California on Saturday, Big Brown is standing at Vinery for a $16,500 (inc gst) service fee.
