Second G1 winner for Hard Spun

Questing leads home a one-two finish for Hard Spun in the American Oaks

When Questing took the lead in the G1 American Oaks at Saratoga on July 21 with 600m left to go, she looked like a filly that was in it to win it. And that she did! The Hard Spun filly left no doubt that she just may be the best three-year-old filly in North America with a widening two-length victory, and becomes the second G1 winner by her sire. Another daughter of Hard Spun, the G1 winner Zo Impressive, gave Hard Spun a rare one-two finish at racing’s highest level by grabbing the second spot.

Bred by Darley, Questing is the fourth foal to race and fourth winner from the Stakes-winning mare Chercheuse. While all her winners so far have been bred in the U.S., she has been transferred to Ireland where she has a colt foal by Cape Cross. She is from a prolific family that includes Quiet American's multiple G1-winning filly, Switch.

Hard Spun has sired more Stakes horses than any other sire at this point in their career, a total of 21 to date. The aforementioned Zo Impressive won North America’s last G1 race for three-year-old fillies on June 23, that being Belmont’s Mother Goose. His 11 career black type winners include G2 winner Red Duke as well as 2012 G3 winner Hierro, one of eight Stakes winners this year, a total that leads all other North American second-crop sires.

Hard Spun's oldest southern hemisphere offspring are two-year-olds and include G3-performed filly Coins as well as metropolitan winners Crystal Web and Textiles. The G1 winner will stand at Darley Northwood Park for $16,500 (inc. GST) in 2012.