Dancing Rain Storms to Victory in German Oaks

Dancing Rain regained her winning form with a powerful victory in the $571,104 Preis der Diana-German Oaks (Ger-I) at Dusseldorf Aug. 7.

It was the second group I win for the daughter of Danehill Dancer, who captured the Investec Oaks (Eng-I) earlier this season. Dancing Rain entered the German Oaks off a disappointing fifth-place finish in the Darley Irish Oaks (Ire-I) July 17.

With regular rider Johnny Murtagh committed to ride in Ireland, trainer William Haggas called upon Kieren Fallon to substitute. Fallon was no stranger to Dancing Rain, having previously guided the filly to her maiden victory at Newbury in April.

The race was pretty much over at the start, as Fallon gunned Dancing Rain to the lead immediately from the gate. The former champion jockey then slowed the pace down, allowing Dancing Rain to set easy fractions through the early stages of the race.

As the field entered the home straight, Dancing Rain had plenty left in the tank and began to increase her lead. She was never seriously challenged, and crossed the wire an easy three-length winner. Djumama rallied from far back to take second, with Aigrette Garzette finishing another 2 1/2 lengths back in third.

Final time for the 11 furlongs was 2:20.32 over a course rated as soft.

Fallon told reporters after the race, “It was easy in the end. Once I was in the lead and going easily, I knew nobody could catch me. She must be one of the top 3-year-old fillies over this trip in Europe.”

Dancing Rain was bred in Ireland by Swettenham Stud, and is owned by M.J. and L.A. Taylor. She is out of the unraced Indian Ridge mare, Rain Flower, who is a half-sister to champion 3-year-old colt Dr Devious, winner of the 1992 Ever Ready Derby (Eng-I).