Homebred Bletchley Wins In Us

Tweenhills homebred Bletchley made a winning start to her career in the US on Thursday.

Beaten a short head in the Gr. 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot 2016 (pictured), Bletchley also won a seven-furlong fillies' conditions stakes at Leicester last June as well as finishing a close second in a Listed race for Ralph Beckett.

Having joined Mark Casse in North America after going through the ring for 320,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, Bletchley lined up as the short-priced favourite for an allowance optional claimer over the extended mile at Gulfstream. She got the job done only narrowly from chief market danger Magical Sky, but her jockey John Velazquez was clearly keen to give her a considerate introduction to US racing.

Bletchley is now owned by Keystone Racing LLC in partnership with Qatar Racing Ltd.

She was bred by Qatar Bloodstock Ltd and is by former Tweenhills stallion Makfi out of Holy Roman Emperor mare An Ghalanta. An Ghalanta was bred and owned by Jim and Jackie Bolger before being purchased by David Redvers for €140,000 at the Goffs November Mares Sale in 2012.

An Ghalanta is still at Tweenhills and has recently given birth to a filly by Charm Spirit. She has been covered by Havana Gold.