WHAT a boost for Jessica Harrington to see Villanova Queen win a very competitive Kensington Palace Stakes on Wednesday. The trainer, and owner William Charger, have been rewarded for their patience with this four-year-old filly, as she won for the third time in eight starts, reaffirming the belief that no one trains a daughter of Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer) better than Jessica.

Bred by Old Carhue Stud and Graeng Bloodstock, Villanova Queen was sold at the Goffs Orby Sale during Covid times for £60,000 to Ben McElroy, and has now won in excess of that investment. Next step will surely be to try and win a blacktype race, though she has some, being placed in a Group 3 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown. Villanova Queen is one of three winners out of the unraced Quads (Shamardal).

From a breeding perspective, Villanova Queen will have plenty to recommend her, more so if she wins at listed or group level. Her grandam was Quad’s Melody (Spinning World), a Group 3 winner at two in France but an even more successful matron, her six winners headed by the Group 1 Sussex Stakes winner Here Comes When (Danehill Dancer). Quad’s Melody is a half-sister to three-time Grade 1 runner-up Bonapartiste (Kendor), and his biggest win was in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap.

Oh, and Jessica Harrington’s winners by Mastercraftsman include a pair who did win at Group 1 level, multiple winner Alpha Centauri, and the Moyglare Stud Stakes winner, Discoveries.