 Cape Verdi, a dark-coated bay filly, was bred in Ireland by her owner, Robert Sangster’s Swettenham Stud.Her sire, Caerleon, won the Prix du Jockey Club and the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup in 1983 and went on to become an “excellent” stallion, siring the winners of more than 700 races including Generous, Marienbard and Warrsan.Her dam Afrique Bleu Azur finished last on her only racecourse appearance, but was well bred, being a sister of the Breeders' Cup Classic winner Arcangues.