Dandalla could be the new Laurens for Karl Burke

Yet the Leyburn trainer hopes the two-year-old Dandalla could deliver him a first domestic Classic next year after winning the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot by a runaway six lengths.

A landmark first triumph at the Royal meeting for jockey Ben Curtis, Dandalla runs in the colours of Nick Bradley Racing and the trainer’s wife Elaine who have received interest from prospective buyers.

But Bradley is hopeful the filly will not be sold. He said: “We’ve probably had around 10 enquiries since last week. We’re not that interested in selling, to be honest.”

Both the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket on July 10 or the Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly the following week are now being considered for a horse who made a winning debut at Newcastle on June 2, the second day of action after the Covid-19 lockdown.

However, the long-term ambition is the 1000 Guineas – the race in which the aforementioned Laurens was second in 2018 before going on to win the French Oaks under an inspired PJ McDonald.

“Dandalla has always been a strong galloper with a turn of foot,” said Burke. “She has plenty of stamina on the dam’s side [Chellalla] and hopefully that will come into play again in the future with maybe the 1000 Guineas.

“Quiet Reflection was our first Royal Ascot winner (2016 Commonwealth Cup) and that was a massive result for us. This is a great result and it’s great to get a two-year-old winner here.

“I think we have done well with the two-year-olds over the last 10 years. To go and buy one for €22,000 – and our daughter Kelly will be absolutely delighted as she bought her at the sale. To buy them, train them, we own half of her – it’s great all round really.”

This is a real family affair as Burke’s other daughter, Lucy, rides out Dandalla on the gallops each morning.

“A few times at the top of the Middleham gallop where we do most of our work, jockeys have been struggling to pull her up,” he went on.

“Lucy earmarked her since before Christmas. She actually came in one day and said ‘I hate to say it, but this filly reminds me of Laurens’.

“That will tell you how highly she thought of her. She is probably more precious than Laurens – Laurens had not even run at this time during her two-year-old career.

“She is also speedier than Laurens. The question now is how far we stay, and we have got plenty of time to think about.”

As for the aforementioned Curtis who was the all-weather champion last winter, he’s thrilled to be associated with a horse who has the potential to enhance his profile and career.

The Yorkshire-based rider is being talked about as a potential champion jockey if he maintains his current strike-rate and association with trainers like Burke.

“I have been coming down to Royal Ascot for a good while now and not really getting involved, so finally to get a winner is unbelievable,” he reflected.

“Karl’s daughter Lucy rides Dandalla every day and does all the hard work at home. I remember her coming down from the gallops one day, and she mentioned her in the same sentence as Laurens, and said she gave her that kind of feel. When she said that it gave me all the hope in the world.

“I had two things on my agenda. One was to ride a Group One winner, and I am still looking for that, and the other was to ride a Royal Ascot winner, and that is one off the list.

“Those two things were at the very top of my list. Every jockey would like to have a stab at being champion and being able to hold that title, so if I ever got in a position to go for the title, I would give it 120 per cent.”

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