Former Patinack Farm filly Nechita could join fellow Australian mare Sea Siren in attempting to follow in Ortensia’s footsteps, with new owners Coolmore entering the pair for the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m) at York in August.

Coolmore have entered Nechita for the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August. Photo by: Steve Hart.

Coolmore shelled out $1.55 million for Nechita at Patinack’s recent reduction sale but the decision to nominate her for the race is somewhat surprising. The global breeding and racing operation had originally indicated she would be immediately retired.

The Fastnet Rock three-year-old hasn’t raced since her Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes win in November but could now continue Australia’s success in the Nunthorpe after the recently retired Ortensia saluted on British soil last year.

Nechita has been described by former trainer John Thompson as the fastest horse he has trained and demonstrated that with three wins from four starts in her brief Australian career.

Now prepared by high profile Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, Nechita arrived in the UK on June 5.

Also now under O’Brien’s care is Sea Siren who failed for Australian trainer John O’Shea when eighth in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday.

O’Shea indicated after the race the four-year-old may have paid the price for trying to compete on the international stage on the back of a strenuous autumn-winter campaign.

”It’s a learning experience. She’s probably saying she’s had enough, she had a hard run in Brisbane, a trip up here,” O’Shea told media in the UK.

“We are happy with the way that she did since she had been here, she probably wasn’t good enough on the day.”

Sea Siren was a triple Group 1 winner under O’Shea, taking out a Queensland double in the 2012 BTC Cup and Doomben 10,000 before winning the Manikato Stakes last spring.