Broodmare Focus: Quevega

Quevega proved herself to be one of jumps racing best race mares when this year she won the Grade 2 David Nicholson mares hurdles a record six times, becoming only the second horse ever to win at the Cheltenham six times. Golden Miller is the only other. Quevega was also a four time Grade 1 winner when she won the Ladbrokes series hurdle a record four times. This year she just failed to make it a fifth when finding Jetson too strong. Shortly after that defeat Willie Mullins announced her retirement. 

Quevega is the beat racehorse under her first three dams. Although some of her siblings managed to win races, none were as near Quevega in terms of ability. Some of her winning siblings include Little Vega, Sivega & Monvega. She also has a 5yo full brother named Vivega, he was third on his debut & like his sister is in the care of Willie Mullins. He is owned by Mrs Sussanah Ricci. 

Quevega's second dam Nigrella is unraced but did produce some winners at stud. Her winners included Ajask & Hesck both were winners over jumps. The third dam Escarbille II is the dam of Mir II a winner over jumps four times in France. 

Since her retirement Quevega was covered by Beat Hollow. A son of Sadlers Wells and Oaks winner Wehymiss Bight, he hails from the same Juddmonte family as top class flat sire Oasis Dream & this seasons leading miler Kingman. Beat Hollow stands at Ballylinch as a dual purpose sire. 

He has sired some very good horses on the flat including Group 1 winner Proportional & Royal Ascot Group 2 winner Sea Moon. His winners over jumps include Grade 1 winners Cinders And Ashes & Hollow Tree as well as multiple graded winners over hurdles. 

Quevega is a jewel as a broodmare. Not only has she a fantastic record but her pedigree is open to all the major jumps sires in Ireland & Britain. Racing eagerly anticipates her first foal. I would love to see what a mating with four time Gold Cup winner Yeats could produce. 

(Quevega with another racing legend in Hurricane Fly)