THE recent 10-runner Prix de Rodilhan over six furlongs at Nimes may not rank as one of the best races in France, but it has a particular importance to Mariann Klay and Des Leadon of Swordlestown Little Stud near Punchestown.

It is the race that marked the successful racecourse debut of their homebred Sonata Ultima (translates as the last sonata), a two-year-old daughter of Acclamation (Royal Applause) and the Green Desert (Danzig) mare Sogno Verde. The filly is leased to Anton Krauliger and is trained by Charley Rossi. She is the eighth winning offspring of her dam, and she has a significant own-brother.