Supersire Dundeel has his second G1 South Australian Derby winner and his first female G1 winner after his courageous daughter Femminile was too good for the boys at Morphettville on Saturday in the time honoured 2500m Classic.
Femminile becomes the ninth G1 winner for Dundeel – her Derby triumph coming at her tenth lifetime start and is her first ever win on a good track, though she had turned in two strong performances in the G3 Auraria Stakes and G1 Australasian Oaks that said the “mudlark” tag did her talents a disservice.
Femminile never went around a horse tailing Statuario all the way. At the 600 Goldrush Guru had made a midrace move to lead and Allen moved Statuario out to commence his run while Femminile darted through beneath him and burst to the front, as a brave Goldrush Guru finally tired and Lavalier went past him.
Statuario was winding up with a vengeance but he was too far out of his ground to catch Femminile who was just as strong to the line.
In the last 100m Lavalier was all out of gas but hung on gallantly for third as Femminile passed the post three quarters of a length clear from Statuario, who lost no fans with his mighty effort. Scintillante (Savabeel) put in a very honest run for fourth.
FEMMINILE IS A GROUP 1 WINNER 💥
— OTI Racing (@OTIRacing) May 3, 2025
The daughter of @ArrowfieldStud stallion Dundeel storms home on the inside @SAJockeyClub to take the win in the Group 1 South Australian Derby!
A terrific ride by @LNeindorf and beautifully trained by the @pstokesracing team.
Congratulations… pic.twitter.com/FDLfZIm8xc
Femminile’s career earnings now advance to $660,185 and she has fulfilled a long held dream for her fine trainer Phillip Stokes becoming his first SA Derby winner, although he was not on track with son Tommy Stokes on hand to savour the win.
“We’re just so proud. This horse has been prepped up an absolute treat leading into today. Full credit to the team at Pakenham and Morphettville, it’s a big operation now. The team puts in a lot of work, mum and dad, she spends a lot of time on the farm there,” Tommy Stokes said.
“She’s just been prepped up to a tee, and the back up really suited, stepping up in trip. We were doing a bit of a rain dance before today, but she didn’t need it. Lachie gave her an absolute peach. It was quite an effortless watch in the end. I’m just very proud, especially another winner for OTI being a Group One, it’s really special.
“We just can’t wait to celebrate. It’s a shame Dad’s not here, but I’m sure he’s super proud.”
Femminile signalled her talent with a devastating win at two years in the Listed Oaklands Plate 1400m. That race was also won by last year’s SA Derby winning filly Coco Sun – something to keep in mind for the future!
At three she showed staying ability from day one and raced competitively against the best of her age in the Melbourne Spring.
A third in the G3 Ethereal Stakes 2000m at Caulfield saw her attract supporters in the VRC Oaks, but that proved a bridge too far for the filly in her first real preparation.
This time around Stokes had her peaked to perfection for the Derby assignment at her fourth run in.
The above is an excerpt from Kat Webster’s breednet.com article and can be read in full here.