The Duke Rules
27th July 2008
Aidan O’Brien and Team Coolmore have been on fire this year and one of the superstars from the most powerful stable in Europe is Duke of Marmalade (4h Danehill x Love Me True, by Kingmambo) who notched his fourth successive Group One victory at Ascot when winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over a mile and a half, a race won last year by their now retired champion Dylan Thomas.Duke of Marmalade settled off the pace, the then charged to the lead and when challenged by Papal Bull had enough left to see it out in winning by half a length.
From Racing Post - Aidan O'Brien described Duke Of Marmalade as "a rare racehorse", and few would argue. He said that they wanted a proper pace here in order to establish categorically if he stayed or not, and he clearly did, but the likelihood is that he will now return to 1m2f. O'Brien said he can sharpen him up for races like the Juddmonte, and presumably the Irish Champion Stakes, having had to be easy on him since Royal Ascot ahead of this first run at 1m4f.
The Danehill four-year-old has already confirmed himself a worthy successor to the stable's 2007 King George and Arc hero Dylan Thomas, and he still has almost half a season left in which to better that horse's four Group 1 wins in a year.
Jockey Johnny Murtagh was lavish in his praise, “Its another huge win for me and a huge win for the team,” Murtagh said.
“I would rate this horse as good as Dylan Thomas, if not better, and he doesn’t lack for anything. He probably won’t get the plaudits, as he doesn’t look spectacular, but he’s always got loads in hand. He’s a true champion and one of the best I’ve ridden.”
Raced by Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor, Duke of Marmalade has overcome injury as a young horse to build an imposing record of five wins and five placings from 13 starts with prizemoney of 1,246,528 pounds, his only other starts resulting in three fourth placings.
A maiden winner at two, Duke of Marmalade contested the best races last season finishing fourth in both the English and Irish Two Thousand Guineas as well as placing at Group One level behind stablemates Dylan Thomas and Excellent Art so it’s not surprising to see him emerge as top class with his soundness issues behind him.
Duke of Marmalade carries the bluest of bloodlines being from the Kingmambo mare Love Me True, a half-sister to a successful and well-known sire to Australians in Bite the Bullet.
Love Me True is from a half-sister to US Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise, the dam of champion racehorse and sire A.P. Indy and Group One winning sire Summer Squall.
Duke of Marmalade is one of 87 Group One winners worldwide for former champion sire Danehill, who died prematurely at Coolmore Stud in Ireland in 2003.
