Brundtland another high-class descendant of Rahaam

BRUNDTLAND (IRE) - 2015 bay colt

There are various reasons why any particular horse will be remembered and, from a personal point of view, Rahaam is one such individual. I worked briefly with the winning daughter of Secreto (by Northern Dancer) and was there for the Indian Ridge (by Ahonoora) covering that resulted in her star daughter Cassandra Go.

In addition to her pedigree, it was aspects of her personality that made the big grey mare stand out, and although it was no surprise to see her do well as a producer, the impact that she has had exceeds expectations.

When Brundtland (by Dubawi) narrowly beat Hunting Horn in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel at ParisLongchamp last month he became the latest of her descendants to become a winner of note.

This was his third start, he won a 10-furlong Newmarket maiden on his only outing as a juvenile, and the race between those two is his 12-furlong listed success at Clairefontaine in August. The Charlie Appleby-trained bay is due to step up in trip tomorrow afternoon when he contests the Group 2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay over 15 furlongs.

Brundtland was bred by James Hanly and he is the first foal of Future Generation (by Hurricane Run), who won the Group 3 Desmond Stakes over a mile at Leopardstown. The mare is a half-sister to the blacktype-placed full-sisters Dancing Breeze (by New Approach) and Rasmeyaa, and she is a mare called Posterity (by Indian Ridge).

That half-sister to Group 3 Prix de Meautry scorer Do The Honours (by Highest Honor) and listed-race winner Seba (by Alzao) could be described as being as three-parts sister to the afore mentioned Group 2 King's Stand Stakes heroine Cassandra Go as both her dam and that sprint star are out of Rahaam.

Cassandra Go also won the Group 2 Temple Stakes, the Group 3 King George Stakes, and a listed contest at Bath, and it was she who chased home champion Mozart in the Group 1 July Cup. Her busy juvenile daughter Fantasy (by Invincible Spirit) was to Ten Sovereigns in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes last month and is one of four blacktype earners for the grey.

Tickled Pink (by Invincible Spirit) won the Group 3 Coral Charge and Group 3 Abernant Stakes, and Theann (by Rock Of Gibraltar) won the Group 3 Summer Stakes at York before going on to become the dam of US Grade 1 star Photo Call (by Galileo) and of this year's Group 2 Richmond Stakes scorer Land Force (by No Nay Never).

The best of Cassandra Go's quartet is, of course, is mile ace Highway To Heaven (by Pivotal) who won the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas, Group 1 Nassau Stakes and Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes 10 years ago and is now just as well-known for her success as a broodmare thanks to the exploits of her Group 1-winning daughter Rhododendron (by Galileo) and that star's pattern-winning full-siblings Magical and Flying The Flag.

Brundtland's third dam is listed scorer Persian Secret (by Persian Heights) and, in addition to being a half-sister to Cassandra Go, she is a half-sister to the speedy classic-placed pattern winner Verglas (by Highest Honor), a former member of the Irish National Stud team and who was responsible for the top-level winners Glass Harmonium, Silver Frost and Stormy River, among others of note.

Rahaam, the fourth dam of Brundtland, was a half-sister to Group 3 Prix Thomas Bryon winner and Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) third Glory Forever (by Forever Casting), and their unraced dam, Fager's Glory (by Mr Prospector), was a granddaughter of Kentucky Oaks heroine Native Street (by Native Dancer).

That star's offspring included Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Royal And Regal (by Vaguely Noble), she was the grandam of Group 1 Sprint Cup scorer Dowsing (by Riverman) and of Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes heroine Fire The Groom (by Blushing Groom), and third dam of Group 1 July Cup and Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes champion Stravinsky (by Nureyev).

Those horses are remotely connected to Brundtland, a colt who shows more stamina than most in his family. It would appear, therefore, that he got that gene from his dam's sire – the top-class middle-distance horse Hurricane Run (by Montjeu) – and possibly also one from Dubawi.

​If this is the case, then there is every chance that he will stay the 15 furlongs at ParisLongchamp, and could even become a Cup horse. It will be interesting to see how his career turns out, and whether his forte is within the stayers' division or back over 12 furlongs.