Easton Angel

Easton Angel proved that Ritchie’s beliefs in Dark Angel’s ability to upgrade his mares was correct as she stormed to victory on debut at Musselburgh by three and a quarter lengths, before winning the Class 2 Hilary Needler Stakes at Beverley without coming off the bridle.

Her victory over future Group 3 winner, Opal Tiara, was so impressive that Al Shaqab Racing purchased 50% of Easton Angel prior to Royal Ascot.   Easton’s superb 2nd to the enormous American horse, Acapulco, in the Group 2 Queen Mary at Royal Ascot was a day to remember. Drawn on the wrong side of the track with no pace to follow, Easton Angel produced a gutsy performance that delighted her new connections, Sheikh Joaan al Thani and his racing manager, Harry Herbert.

Next Easton ran over six furlongs for the first time in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York racecourse, finishing a respectable 3rd behind Group 1 winner, Lumiere, and multiple Group winner, Beshara, who appreciated the give in the ground.

After spending the winter at Moor End Stud, Easton Angel made her eagerly awaited return to the track at York in the Listed EBF Westow Stakes. Despite not completely being in her summer coat she cruised through the race with ease and won comfortably by three quarters of a length. This was followed by an even more impressive victory in the Listed Scurry Stakes at Sandown. Overcoming a bad draw, Easton blitzed her rivals, with Paul Mulrennan waiting to pull the trigger before extending to a two and a quarter length victory. Easton took on her elders for the first time in the Listed City Wall Stakes at York, carrying a 3lb penalty. Again, travelling strongly, there was no pace to lead her to the finish, and after idling in front, she was headed late on by subsequent Group 1 winner Marsha. However, the finish time on ground softer than good was the second fastest 5f time ever recorded at York.   Easton finished a very unlucky 4th in the Group 2 King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Starting slowly, she hit lots of trouble in running, before finishing full of running losing by an agonising half a length.

Up to the end of her 3-year-old career Easton Angel has won over £150,000 in prize money, she is spending the winter again at Moor End Stud and we look forward to competing in the Group sprints with her in 2017.