BC Internationals: Filly & Mare Turf contender Rhododendron

It seems like a lifetime ago, but Rhododendron was the top fillies’ classic prospect for Ballydoyle this season. A commendable runner-up when bumping into two unexpected stars in the 1000 Guineas (G1) and the Oaks (G1), the Aidan O’Brien trainee is just now returning to her best after a summer hiccup.

Rhododendron is by Galileo and out of Halfway to Heaven, a three-time Group 1 winner for O’Brien who was unplaced as the 5-2 favorite in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Two of Halfway to Heaven’s marquee wins came at a mile, in the Irish 1000 Guineas (G1) and Sun Chariot (G1), and her victory at 1 1/4 miles in the Nassau (G1) was more by chance, thanks to the unlucky trip by near-miss runner-up Lush Lashes. That was her only career attempt at the distance before venturing to Santa Anita, where she found it stretched her a shade too far.

The irony is that Rhododendron’s dam would have been grateful for a Breeders’ Cup race at 1 1/8 miles, but I’m not sure the same can be said for Rhododendron. As a juvenile, she progressed like a classic filly, and her Guineas effort looked for all the world like a proper Oaks contender.

Rhododendron, who broke her maiden second time out at Glorious Goodwood, promptly landed her stakes debut in the 2016 Debutante (G2) at the Curragh (click link for replay). She stayed on relentlessly to edge a stubborn Hydrangea, in a foreshadowing of their most recent clash.

In the Moyglare Stud (G1) over the same track and seven-furlong trip, the Debutante form was overturned. The 25-1 Intricately outdueled Hydrangea, and Rhododendron was a lugging-in third on a day when it was hard to catch the leaders on the Curragh’s round course.

Rhododendron left no doubt next time in last October’s Fillies’ Mile (G1) at Newmarket. Encountering good-to-firm ground for the first time since her maiden win, she convincingly outkicked Hydrangea, and there was a six-length gap to third in the strung-out field. That sent her into winter quarters as the one to beat in the 1000 Guineas this spring.

Aidan O'Brien stretches to 20 Group/Grade 1 wins this season as Rhododendron and Hydrangea bloom in the Dubai Fillies' Mile. @newmarketrace pic.twitter.com/QdQuiQLP5a

— Dubai Racing Channel (@DubaiRacingTV) October 7, 2016

Dispatched as the 5-4 favorite for the May 7 Guineas down the same Rowley Mile, Rhododendron endured traffic trouble and lost momentum as she abruptly altered course. Yet she wasn’t an altogether unlucky loser, since the winner, her overlooked stablemate Winter at 9-1, was forging ahead with gusto. Rhododendron gathered momentum for an eye-catching second, but it’s questionable if she would have joined Winter for a battle with a clear trip.

Winter turned out to be a surprise package, for she added three more Group 1s – the Irish 1000 Guineas (G1) and Coronation (G1) over Roly Poly and the Nassau (G1). Rhododendron’s Guineas effort looks even better in hindsight.

The odds-on favorite for the Oaks at Epsom, Rhododendron ran into a certain Enable. She threw down a stiff challenge to Enable, but just couldn’t stay with her as the future Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) heroine drew off in Oaks-record time.