Ylang Ylang lived up to her high reputation winning the Gr.1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket today for the owners partnership of Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Brant, Westerberg and trainer Aidan O’Brien. 

Earlier this season she landed an impressive victory in the Gr.3 Jockey Club Of Turkey Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown following her debut win at the Curragh in June, and was third in the Gr.2 Rockfel Stakes. 

Bred by Newsells Park Stud and Merry Fox Stud, the two-year-old filly by Frankel was sold by Newsells to MV Magnier and White Birch Farm at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale for 1,500,000gns. 

Trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “It all went a little bit pear-shaped in mid-season and it’s hard to come back like that, but she’s classy and very brave.  She’s very exciting for next year. I’d imagine the lads usually like to start them in the Guineas, but looking at Ylang Ylang today she will have no problem getting the Oaks trip. 

Ryan gave her a brilliant ride as always. He was very calm on her and collected. She was a bit keen in the Moyglare as she made the running the first two times, but when her chance was gone Ryan looked after her. She came back here for a lovely, educational run for next year than today being the be-all and end-all.”

Ylang Ylang is the first foal out of the Shamardal mare Shambolic, a three-time Stakes performer and half-sister to dual Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup winning multiple Hong Kong Champion Comic Strip (aka Viva Pataca) and Laughing, winner of the Gr.1 Flower Bowl Invitational and Gr.1 Diana Stakes.  

Shambolic also has a yearling colt by Kingman that sold for 425,000gns at the recent Tattersalls Book 1 Sale to Qatar Racing and the China Horse Club.  Shambolic was purchased by Hadden Bloodstock on behalf of Newsells Park Stud and Merry Fox Stud from Tattersalls December Sale in 2019 for 800,000gns.