Libertango team excited by what the future holds

Libertango has Group Two aspirations at Newmarket following her brilliant Albany Stakes victory at Royal Ascot.

George Boughey’s juvenile filly overcame Aidan O’Brien’s odds-on favourite Sun Goddess by a length to make it two wins from two in her burgeoning career.

That form has been franked with Sun Goddess going one better in the Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday, leaving Libertango’s connections excited about what the test of the season has in store.

“Libertango came out of her race in great form, George is really happy with her,” said Rob Speers, racing manager to owner Ibrahim Araci.

“It’s all systems go towards the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket’s July meeting. It’s the same trip (six furlongs), she will love the course and the uphill finish.

“It was good to see the filly that finished second to her, Sun Goddess, back up only eight days later with a Group Two at the Curragh and touch wood she’ll go to Newmarket and take a lot of beating.

“If it all goes well at Newmarket, I know George will likely take on the colts in the Group One in France in August – the Prix Morny. The plan for now would be the Duchess of Cambridge and then the Morny.

“George made no secret about how much we all liked her. She’d done some spectacular pieces of work at home to be honest and she’s got a real turn of foot.

“She stays well, she’ll probably get seven (furlongs) in time, she has a really high cruising speed – I think she was half a second faster than every other filly in the final furlong. She’s got a real turn of foot and that’s makes her a very potent weapon.”

He went on: “We’ll make hay while we can, she’s a very sharp, fast, forward two-year-old and hopefully she has a future as a three-year-old. She’ll definitely get seven and we’ll see how far she stays next year.

“Billy (Loughnane, jockey) had extreme confidence in the horse. Without being overconfident or arrogant about it, we half-expected to go and win the Albany. She was abnormal to come across from stall three and win like she did.”