It runs in the family for Raymonda "Her aunt actually won this race a few years ago, Emulous, and the family has been very good for us," said Kris Weld after his father Dermot's Raymonda made a lovely debut to take the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden at the Curragh. Pat Smullen gradually worked his way into it, aboard the half-sister to Brooch and Caponata, from his wide draw. Owned and bred like those two, by Khalid Abdullah, Raymonda was strong in the final furlong for a two and three parts of a length verdict over Twin Falls. "She's still a weak backward sort. Hopefully she'll progress nicely over the winter and make up into a nice stakes filly next year," added Weld. (GC & EM)
