Memory

Purchased at the Tattersalls yearling sale (Book 1) this filly by Danehill Dancer always looked to be a precocious filly in the making. Having been broken at Highclere Stud Memory was then moved to Richard Hannon’s yard where she could be seen bucking and kicking each morning on her way out to exercise. This was a filly with attitude, but also enormous talent. Word had clearly got out prior to her debut at Goodwood where she started at a 9/4 favourite before showing what would become an electrifying trademark turn of foot, to win with plenty in hand. She was not favourite when she lined up for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot on her next start, where Richard Hughes showed customary patience to sit off the pace before unleashing Memory with a devastating run which resulted in a glorious victory by a head from Michael Bell’s Margot Did. This performance meant that she started a warm favourite for the Cherry Hinton at Newmarket’s July Festival meeting where once again she had to come from way off the pace, but unbelievably still managed to win going away. Memory was not herself on her last start at the Curragh and never looked happy, eventually finishing sixth of the twelve runners and was subsequently put away for the season.

Memory strengthened up well over the winter and went to Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas in May as a live contender. However, to everyone’s disbelief she refused to come out of the stalls and took no part in the race. Unfortunately this talented but quirky filly had decided that her racing career was effectively over and failed to compete in her last three races. She now boards at the Royal Stud at Sandringham, where hopefully she will be able to pass on the positive elements of her undoubted talent.