Darnation Launches Karl Burke’s Crazy Day

It’s because of Darnation (Too Darn Hot), who won an edition of the German 1,000 Guineas (Gr2) dominated by the English, that Karl Burke started a memorable day, punctuated by another success in the Guineas… Irish this time. The Newton Anner Stud Farm pupil had not appreciated the good ground nor the Newmarket course. Certainly, Düsseldorf is not an easy track but veteran jockey Adrie de Vries rode a perfect race in the saddle on the favorite. He marked the other Englishwoman on the saddlecloth, Likely Tails (Massaat), who had won the Cologne trial, and waited for the opening which took place 400m from the post. Darnation had a little difficulty changing speed before finally placing her point to win by two clear lengths against a compatriot who barely retained second place in front Three Havanas (Havana Gray). It is an English twin and a fifth British success in the last nine editions of this Germanic summit. Adrie De Vries recorded his third success in this classic for fillies. He commented: “I benefited from a perfect position behind the animator and the train was supported. All the planets aligned, even if, on a really heavy track, it would have imposed itself more surely…”

Darnation is the first classic winner (for a few hours!) of her father, Too Darn Hot (Dubawi). Newton Anner Stud purchased the mother out of court, Monday Monday (Galileo), bred by Coolmore and who had not reached her reserve price of 195,000 at Goffs November in 2020. She had not raced and met Too Darn Hot at 3 years old. The second mother, Miarixa (Linamix), a product of Lagardère breeding, had posted 55,000 Gns at Tattersalls December 2004 as a filly coming out of training and 95,000 Gns the following year in foal. Dr. Fong (KrisS). She gave six winners including Blue Bunting (Dynaformer) who won the 1,000 Guineas, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks (Grs1) for Godolphin but did not really shine as a broodmare. The new Miarixa comes from Mrs Arkada (Akarad), winner of the Prix Isola Bella (L) and third in the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1). She produced the Gr2 placed Example (Galileo).

Monday Monday is a 2 year old Fastnet Rock (Danehill) and met in 2023 Space Blues (Dubawi).