COCO IN SEASON AND HAS A DATE WITH BILLY

Ian Fortune

The brilliant Tote Gold Cup winner Boylesports Coco was being lined for a crack at the English Derby but plans have certainly changed in recent days.

After picking up a small knock in her latest outing, scuppering chances of a trial at Towcester, an Oaks challenge was then muted.

Mother nature had other ideas, however. Dolores Ruth confirmed the brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney and Barn Swallow has come in season and the decision has been made to breed her.

And where will she be going? Well, it seems Dolores has one or two straws remaining from her sensational Derby champion Razldazl Billy.

Billy was a real star on the track and made a wonderful start to his stud career only to pass away suddenly in 2008, less than a year after his final start. In his brief career as an active stud dog, he made a huge impact throwing Oaks champion and subsequent top brood Skywalker Queen, Champion Stakes winner Makeshift, Tyrur Enda, Golden Jacket winner Boylesports Star and so many more.

His legacy also lives on through his daughters in particular as so many have gone onto become incredible broods. Indeed, his record as a grandsire is also incredible.

Given the pedigree of Boylesports Coco and the cross with Razldazl Billy, it seems safe to assume, all going well, there will be a few fast pups at Dolores’ Rathangan base next year.