Swettenham Stud’s strategy to travel abroad, attend the sales, and find a nice tried filly, with the right pedigree to race with success is a difficult proposition for the most awarded bloodstock agent.

However, thanks to some very clever and determined buying, an eye for a smart pedigree, and a lifetime of knowledge, Adam Sangster believed that a blue-blooded Deep Impact filly, Love So Deep, was the one to choose.

Joined by a loyal group of Swettenham clients, family and old friends, the result was not one that anyone could ever have expected.

Love So Deep was a 50,000 guineas purchase from Lady Bamford from East Everleigh Stables by Swettenham Stud at the 2018 Tatts December Mare Sale.

“The two-year-old filly was the last lot through on a very wet and cold day at the December mare sale,” Sangster said.

Encouraged by her being a daughter of sire sensation Deep Impact (JPN), she had already had five starts without a win. However, being all over short distances, Sangster identified her ability to get over more ground, being out of a Sadler’s Wells mare.

“We inspected her with my step sister, trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam, and she was delighted to take her on. We both believed that she would appreciate the extra distance. We were interested to see what she could do once she got over a trip.”

“Without a doubt, having been to Japan many times, the Deep Impact out of a Sadler’s Wells mare cross sweet spot is a mile to a mile and a half.” Sangster said.

“Jane and I thought she was worth a roll of the dice. Those bloodlines are pretty strong.”

Foaled in Japan, Love So Deep is a daughter of the Sadler’s Wells mare Soinlovewithyou (USA), a two-year-old winner in Ireland. She is a half-sister to the five-time Group 1 winner and sire Duke Of Marmalade (Ire), the G1 English Derby winner Ruler Of The World (Ire) and the G2 Adelaide Cup winner Annus Mirabilis (Ire). She sold at the same Tatts Sale, eight years earlier for 950,000 guineas.

Interestingly, she is one of only a handful of Deep Impact fillies to race in Europe and was incredibly appealing due to her bloodlines.

The astute observation paid off and once back in training, Love So Deep relished the extra distance and was victorious in her first two starts for Chapple-Hyam’s yard, both over ten furlongs at Nottingham and Yarmouth races.

“They were good wins, which indicated that she was a smart filly over the right distance.”

Love So Deep then managed to gain vital black type to her impeccable pedigree at the Goodwood races with a third in the Height Of Fashion Stakes.

“She’s come on very nicely and keeps on improving. She is a very determined filly with plenty of upside. Although small in stature, she is big in heart,” Sangster said after the big pedigree update.

Her next assignment was the highly competitive Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes for fillies on the third day of the Royal Ascot carnival.

“Run over 2411 metres, a trip to suit her ideally, it was a remarkable training effort of Jane to take a horse that had five starts without a win, and to turn that around in just over eight months to win two, an important stakes placing and a fifth place in a Ribblesdale.”

“She was up against a top-class field at Ascot, competing with the best middle distance and staying horses in Europe. To see her step out on the big stage was such a thrill for all of her Australian connections,” Sangster said.

“We had a cheer squad 18 strong at Royal Ascot, including family and close friends on course. Even Nick Williams commented that we were celebrating like we had just won the Arc. That shows the level of joy and excitement she gave to everyone involved.”

Following her commendable performances on the track, Love So Deep was identified by several prominent agents and breeding establishments, with a subsequent generous offer made on the filly, too good to refuse.

“We would have loved to bring her home to the Southern Hemisphere to breed at our Nagambie nursey, however, the temptation to sell her was too great.”

“The condition of sale was that the Australian syndicate would continue to race her for the rest of the UK season in the Sangster silks and as a group, we decided that this was simply too good to pass up.”

Love So Deep was purchased by Prince Faisal, the owner Denford Stud in the England county of Berkshire. Once retired from racing, Love So Deep will join his elite broodmare band, that includes most notably, Approach and Intrigued’s dam, Last Second. Recently he bred Lloyd Williams’ Group 3 Curragh winner Buckhurst.

Following on from this success, the immediate plan for Swettenham will be to head abroad and go again. Sangster will be back attending all the European sales and looking for another international gem to emulate Love So Deep’s accomplishments.

“The experience with Love So Deep has been a thoroughly enjoyable journey for everyone involved, and one that we would love to do again.”