Ground critical to route taken by Sparks Fly
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Ground will dictate the movements of the admirable David Loughnane-trained mare Sparks Fly.
The six-year-old has an impressive record with 12 wins to her name, many of them gained during a superb run of form in the summer of 2023 where she went unbeaten in six starts.
She has struck at Listed level four times and has the Group Three Prix Perth to her name, and although a return to France to contest the Prix Edmond Blanc at Saint-Cloud on seasonal debut did not leave her in the money connections are inclined to aim high again.
“She is entered in Nottingham on Sunday (in the Nottinghamshire Oaks) but I think it’s very unlikely she will run, I don’t think we’re going to the get the ground,” said Loughnane.
“She’s got an entry in the Huxley Stakes at Chester and an entry in the Middleton at York as well, but it’s going to be ground dependent.
“She needs the going on the softer side so as always we will be dictated by Mother Nature.”
Of the mare’s last-placed run in Saint-Cloud, Loughnane added: “Looking back through her form, she’s never really won well prior to April in her career.
“We needed to get a run into her and there weren’t any options here, we thought we’d roll the dice and she’s come out of it fine.
“She’s a filly that doesn’t come right until further into the spring.”
Of broader plans for Sparks Fly, who is owned by breeder David Lowe and will naturally be earmarked as a brilliant broodmare prospect, Loughnane said: “The reason she has stayed in training is to try and get some Group One form.
“I have always believed that if we get the right conditions, and on the right day, she is more than capable of that.”
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