Nathaniel’s daughter Mutamakina adds Gr.2 victory to her black-type form

23/08/2021

The progressive daughter of Nathaniel, Mutamakina, added a Gr.2 victory to her impressive black-type form when landing the Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine yesterday.

Trained by Christophe Clement for owner Al Shira’aa Farms, she held off the late challenge of 2020 Gr.1 winner Etoile to win by half a length in this 1m2f race.

It was a much deserved success for Mutamakina who has previously finished second in Gr.2 company three times, twice in France in the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Niel at Longchamp and Gr.2 Shadwell Prix de la Nonette in Deauville, as well as winning the Listed Prix Madame Jean Couturie in Vichy.

Since relocating to USA she earned her first victory last November in the Gr.3 Long Island Stakes at Aqueduct before finishing second in the Gr.2 Sheepshead Bay Stakes at Belmont Park earlier this year.

Jockey Dylan Davis said “I’m just happy to be back aboard her. She’s definitely a hard trier, you just got to know how to ride her. She always gives a good effort and Christophe Clemente had her ready today.”

Bred by Widgham Stud, Mutamakina is out of the Danehill mare Joshua’s Princess, whose granddam is 1995 Horse of the Year and Champion three-year-old filly Ridgewood Pearl.

This year leading sire Nathaniel has sired one new Gr.1 winner in Lady Bowthorpe and two new Gr.2 winners with Mutamakina and Bubble Gift. He continues to be a consistent source of high quality Stakes horses in Europe, USA and Australia.