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George Washington's only foal wins first start at Newbury

George Washington has left behind a very promising filly (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com) Julie Wood's DATE WITH DESTINY, the only foal by ill-fated European champion George Washington (Ire), made a winning debut in Friday's opener at Newbury in England. Trained by Richard Hannon, who has been dominant on the juvenile scene this season, Date with Destiny was sent off as the joint third choice at 9-2 in her first racecourse appearance. The bay was reserved off the pace by Richard Hughes, moved up smoothly into contention between rivals, and burst clear in a few strides. Once Date with Destiny had the race in the bag, Hughes gathered her in hand late, and she crossed the wire a cozy 1 1/2 lengths in front. She completed seven furlongs in 1:26 3/5 on the good to firm ground. "They went a strong gallop, and I was always pretty confident of picking them off," Hughes told Racing Post. "We're delighted with that," Hannon told the trade daily. "Perfect, because that was the perfect start for her. "We'll take it easy and not rush her back, with perhaps one more run this year."

Ironically, the runner-up Zanazzi is by Bernardini, who finished second in the 2006 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs, in which George Washington wound up sixth.

Date with Destiny's markings on her face and legs, and her quick turn of foot, call to mind her late sire. George Washington ranked as Europe's champion juvenile colt in 2005 and the continent's top sophomore colt in 2006, when he captured the Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) and Queen Elizabeth II S. (Eng-G1).

Early on in his only season at stud, he experienced fertility problems and was returned to trainer Aidan O'Brien. George Washington finished a near-miss fourth in his comeback in the 2007 Queen Anne S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot, then reported home third in both the Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) and Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1). He made a second attempt in the Breeders' Cup Classic, but sadly broke down in the slop at Monmouth and was euthanized.

At that time, the Rainbow Quest mare Flawlessly was still carrying her unborn foal, the only offspring of George Washington. Her filly was foaled on February 4, 2008, in Ireland.

Bred by Azienda Agricola Loreto Luciani, Date with Destiny is a half-sister to two stakes performers -- French Group 3 heroine Ombre Legere (Ire) (Double Bed [Fr]), herself the dam of Japanese Grade 3 winner and dual classic-placed Germinal (Agnes Tachyon), and Grade 1-placed Flawly (GB) (Old Vic), who has gone on to produce French Group 3 victor and classic-placed Best Name (GB) (King's Best).

Date with Destiny has gone through the auction ring twice. A $350,392 weanling at Goffs November in 2008, she was purchased by her current owner for $535,752 as a Tattersalls October yearling in 2009.

Before Friday, Hannon had spoken highly of Date with Destiny.

"We are all very excited about what has been an eagerly-awaited debut for Julie Wood's George Washington filly, Date with Destiny," the trainer said on his website. "We feel privileged to have such a high-profile filly in the team.

"We have taken our time with Date with Destiny and we were always going to wait for the seven-furlong races. 

"We hope that she has the ability of George, but she certainly has a better temperament as she is so placid, and she is the most gorgeous mover. She did a nice piece of work with Hughesie aboard at Herridge on Tuesday, coming up the gallop with (the three-year-old Chica Whopa [Oasis Dream [GB]), and it will be great to get her started. She has done everything right so far."

After her debut, Date with Destiny continues to do everything right.

On Saturday, Hannon's website reported that Date with Destiny could step up to Group 3 company next. She is under consideration for the August 7 Sweet Solera S. (Eng-G3) at Newmarket or the August 28 Prestige S. (Eng-G3) at Goodwood, but Hannon is in no hurry to decide.

The horseman expressed his relief that Date with Destiny won first time out in good fashion.

"There was a lot of pressure on us, not from (owner) Julie (Wood), who has been a star, but with such a high-profile filly you don't want to mess things up," Hannon said. "She was naturally a bit green, but could not have done the job better, and we can now build on this and look to move up the ladder."

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