Latest horse racing news from UK, Ireland, and around the world.

‘Premier’ meetings tag dramatically reduced for next year

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Premier racedays will be cut by more than two-thirds in 2026, with the British Horseracing Authority conceding dilution of the original concept had lessened its anticipated impact.

The idea was initially introduced in 2024 as a two-year pilot, with 170 fixtures designated as ‘premier’ racedays which met certain criteria around prize-money and quality and were intended to showcase the very best of the calendar.

There were a total of 162 premier fixtures in 2025, but next year will see just 52, focused on the biggest festivals and top-level races, with the protected two-hour window that was employed during the trial period, which limited action at other tracks, ended in favour of gaps of at least 10 minutes around the major races on Saturday afternoons.

Richard Wayman, the BHA’s director of operations, said: “We wanted to make our best racing better and use that as our tool to grow interest in the sport, part of that was making the racing as good as we could so we invested in the racing and we have seen a real upside on that.

“Prize-money on premier racedays in 2024 was over £7million higher than it had been the previous year at those same fixtures, with another half a million this year so in terms of actually supporting the quality and competitiveness of racing, making the sport at those meetings better, I think the policy has delivered.

“Where clearly it has not done what we talked about two years ago was from a customer perspective, creating that brand around premier racedays that I think for a number of reasons didn’t work.

“I think one of the biggest reasons was that there were simply too many of them and it therefore diluted the message that these are genuinely elite fixtures – consumers just didn’t buy that. I think moving to the 52 from 162 is a step in the right direction.”

In a media briefing, Wayman confirmed there are no plans for a marketing campaign for premier racedays in 2026, describing it as “a bridge” between the trial and the 2027 fixture list, which will be informed by evidence from ongoing consumer research.

A total of 1,458 meetings are scheduled next year, with the BHA employing measures that aim to increase the number of horses based and being raced in Britain, as well as enhancing the quality of those runners, supported by an additional £4.4m in prize-money.

Funds for developmental races will be increased, imposing minimum values for novice or maiden races on the Flat, plus added incentives for staying races, while novice and beginners’ chases and maiden and novice hurdles will also have a baseline prize fund.

The July Cup, King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Juddmonte International will all get at least a £200,000 boost in 2026 and a bonus series for point-to-point horses will be introduced, with hopes of strengthening supply of quality horses from that division to race under rules.

While the BHA continues its drive to improve competitiveness and reinforce Sunday racing, it has also made moves to try to mitigate the demands on those working in the industry, with a six-day pause (April 26-May 1) and a 19-day break (July 27-August 4) in jumps racing.

The Flat action will stop on November 8-15, with rider-restricted meetings November 16-18 and for five days in mid-winter (February 16-20). Other initiatives include a trial of 8pm finishes for all-weather meetings in the first nine weeks of the year.

Goodwood victor Fox Legacy set Strensall task

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Fox Legacy, one of the most impressive winners at Goodwood last week, has the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes at York on August 23 as his next target.

The former Sir Michael Stoute inmate has improved dramatically this season, rising from a rating of 90 to a lofty 116, and proved his liking for York when winning the John Smith’s Cup. He then won what looked a tight nine-furlong conditions race at Goodwood by five and a half lengths.

“As long as all is OK he will probably go to the Strensall,” said Alastair Donald, racing manager for owners King Power Racing.

“There are international options after that, places like Bahrain, and he has been put in the Champion Stakes as well.

“In the Hunt Cup he didn’t have a great draw and in hindsight Oisin (Murphy) said he didn’t go fast enough that day to bring his stamina into it, so I don’t think we’ll be going back to a mile again.

“I think 10 furlongs is his trip. He ran over a mile and a half for Sir Michael, he probably didn’t stay it but it wouldn’t be crazy to think that at some point in the future he’d try it again.

“The joy of him is that he goes on all ground which makes life a lot easier to plan.

“He was really impressive at Goodwood and had that race been 10 furlongs, who knows how far he might have won.”

Maranoa Charlie captains strong Bond squad at York

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Maranoa Charlie will spearhead Bond Thoroughbred’s quest for victory on home soil, with the local operation assembling a stellar squad for action at York’s Ebor Festival.

Although trained by Christopher Head in France, the Prix Jean Prat runner-up will have plenty of support when he represents the racing entity of the late Reg Bond which is now overseen by son Charlie, as he seeks Group One compensation in the newly-upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

“Christopher has said he is in great form and is looking forward to bringing him over for the Group One,” said Charlie Bond.

“This has been his aim ever since the Prix Jean Prat and we will just have to see what turns up, but his determination and how he battles against horses is tremendous and his main asset.”

Maranoa Charlie may be the main attraction for the Bond Thoroughbred team, but the owners – who hail from nearby Pocklington – received a boost on Monday when Paddy Twomey’s Bonus Time booked her ticket to the Knavesmire in winning at Naas.

Bond added: “She was identified by Paddy when she was in the Ascot sale and she’s got a lovely pedigree by Too Darn Hot. He had seen her racing in Ireland and she was good at Naas.

“She heads to York now for the seven-furlong handicap on the Thursday (British EBF Fillies’ Handicap).”

Bonus Time was a good winner at Naas
Bonus Time was a good winner at Naas (PA)

Twomey could also saddle once-raced two-year-old Bond in the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes, while the likes of Pocklington, unbeaten three-year-old Big Leader and recent course scorer Air Force One are all trained locally by Geoff Oldroyd and pencilled on the York teamsheet.

“Hopefully the Reg Bond colours can land a winner at the local track and one of the best racecourses in the world,” continued Bond.

“We’re flying at the moment and having plenty of winners and Paddy is running at a 35 per cent strike-rate for us and Geoff Oldroyd is at 30 per cent which is pretty much amazing.

“We’ve quite a big team going to York. Pocklington will go for the six-furlong handicap on the Saturday (Sky Bet Constantine Handicap) and we expect him to have a big chance as he just had a big row of horses in front of him and had to try to switch out last time.

“Big Leader is unbeaten, he’s won three out of three and we’ve had some big offers come in for him. We’re not interested and he will head for the Sky Bet Mile Handicap on the Friday.

“Paddy is bringing Bond across for the Convivial, he was very green first time out round a bend in Ireland, but we’re hoping he can be very competitive.

“We will also run Air Force One who won over five furlongs last time, but is now trying to get five and a half furlongs on the Wednesday (Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap). He’s all-out speed and I’m sure he will be near the front with half a furlong to go, it’s just if he lasts home.

“It’s great that we have this team for York. We missed Royal Ascot with some of ours, which was hard to do, but at the end of the day we knew we would have a team ready to go for York and hopefully we have some lively chances.”

Racing Bulletin for 06/08/2025

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Brighton

Good

 14:15 14:45 15:15 15:45 16:15 16:45
Pontefract

Good

 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:05 16:38 17:08
Sligo

Yielding

 16:50 17:20 17:50 18:25 19:00 19:35 20:10
Kempton Park

Standard / Slow

 16:55 17:30 18:00 18:35 19:10 19:45 20:20 20:55
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Good

 17:00 17:35 18:07 18:42 19:17 19:52 20:27
Yarmouth

Good

 17:15 17:45 18:15 18:52 19:27 20:02

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Argentine Tango booked for Lowther Stakes bid

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Argentine Tango will stay closer to home for her next start with Tim Easterby planning a raid on the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York.

The Mattmu filly has kept on improving all season, winning a Listed race at Newmarket before finishing third to Venetian Sun in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes.

Last week at Goodwood she found only the Ger Lyons-trained Lady Iman too good in the Molecomb Stakes over five furlongs and will step back up to six at York for the Great Habton trainer.

“She’s come out of Goodwood really well. She’s tough, she must be because she’s had seven races now and keeps coming back for more,” said Easterby.

“You get racehorses every now and again who just want to gallop and she is one of them.

“She’ll go back up to six furlongs now, she definitely runs in the Lowther next and she won’t be without a chance.

“She’s been a bit of a star for us already this season.”

Star-studded cast in the making for British Champions Day

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Many of the best horses in Europe have been entered for Qipco Champions Day at Ascot on October 18.

This year the card has been extended to seven races with the addition of a two-year-old contest, while with the upgrade of the Long Distance Cup to Group One status there will be five top-level events for the first time and a record £4.35million in prize-money.

The feature Qipco Champion Stakes sees recent King George winner Calandagan, Delacroix, Ombudsman, Los Angeles and last year’s winner Anmaat among the 38 entries.

Calandagan was second 12 months ago and his trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has also entered 2024 King George winner Goliath and the unbeaten Daryz.

Calandagan has a good record at Ascot
Calandagan has a good record at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Karl Burke’s Royal Champion was last seen impressing in the York Stakes, a win which has taken him up to a lofty rating of 120.

“He is now the highest-rated horse I’ve ever trained,” said Burke. “Hopefully he can live up to that, he wouldn’t want the ground too slow but if he remains in good form we’ll head to Ascot for the Champion Stakes.”

One name missing from the Champion Stakes is Field Of Gold, although he is one of the 38 in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Queen Anne Stakes winner Docklands, Lockinge victor Lead Artist, Sussex Stakes winner Qirat and Sunday’s Prix Rothschild heroine Fallen Angel are all QEII possibles.

Fallen Angel’s trainer Burke has a trip to Ireland in mind for her next, but Ascot is firmly in his sights.

“Fallen Angel has come out of her latest race in perfect condition. There’s a good chance we head to Champions Day for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes,” he said.

“She’ll have a trip to the Matron (Leopardstown) first, then to Newmarket for the Sun Chariot and then we could take on the big guns if she continues in good form. We’d fancy our chances if the ground came up on the slow side.”

John and Thady Gosden’s Gold Cup hero Trawlerman is one of 29 in the British Champions Long Distance Cup for an increased pot of £500,000. Stablemates Courage Mon Ami, Sweet William and French Master also feature.

Recent Goodwood Cup one-two Scandinavia and Illinois as well as Jan Brueghel are all possibles for Aidan O’Brien who struck last year with Kyprios.

There are 53 in contention for the British Champions Sprint Stakes with Royal Ascot winner Lazzat topping the bill.

Lazzat was a Royal Ascot winner in June
Lazzat was a Royal Ascot winner in June (John Walton/PA)

He could be joined by fellow French-trained entries such as Beauvatier, Daylight, Topgear and Woodshauna.

Dockland’s trainer Harry Eustace has entered Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals after her good effort over five furlongs at Goodwood last week.

“Time For Sandals won over six at Ascot, so it makes sense to give her an entry,” he said.

“How she runs next time out will determine if she goes, she’s had quite a long season, because we prepped her up like she might be a Guineas filly, so she’s not a definite just yet.

“However, if she wins her next start, it will be really hard not to go there. Having one horse going there is a proud moment, but having two would be extremely exciting.”

Scandinavia and Lambourn lead 26 St Leger hopefuls

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Goodwood Cup winner Scandinavia heads 26 entries for the Betfred St Leger, the final Classic of the season to be run at Doncaster on September 13.

Aidan O’Brien dominates the potential field numerically with 11 possible runners hailing from his Ballydoyle yard.

Justify colt Scandinavia has been a relatively late bloomer, finishing fifth to Carmers in the Queen’s Vase at Ascot before winning the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket.

He stepped into open company at Goodwood last week and despite being overlooked by Ryan Moore in favour of Illinois, ran out the winner.

His dual Derby-winning stablemate Lambourn would be another huge player if he turns up, as would Whirl, winner of last week’s Nassau Stakes over 10 furlongs at Goodwood.

Galveston, Oaks victor Minnie Hauk, Mount Kilimanjaro, Puppet Master, Saratoga, Shackleton, Stay True and Thrice are other Ballydoyle possibles.

Carmers could have a trip to Yorkshire before his big day, with Paddy Twomey considering the Great Voltigeur Stakes for his prep – or he could stay closer to home.

“if he runs (beforehand) it will be either in the Great Voltigeur or the Vinnie Roe (at Leopardstown) and then the Leger,” said Twomey.

“Those two races are within a day of each other so we’ll see which race looks more suitable.”

Other notable entries include Charlie Johnston’s Lazy Griff, placed in the Derby at Epsom and the Irish equivalent, Tennessee Stud and Arabian Force.

Gordon Stakes victor Merchant was not entered by William Haggas.

Field Of Gold to miss International assignment at York

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Field Of Gold will bypass York’s Juddmonte International Stakes as he continues his recovery from the setback sustained when suffering a shock defeat at Goodwood last week.

John and Thady Gosden’s Irish 2,000 Guineas and Royal Ascot hero was discovered to be lame after tasting defeat for just the second time this season in the Sussex Stakes and although there are encouraging signs in his recuperation, a step up to 10 furlongs on the Knavesmire has been ruled out by his team.

The son of Kingman will undergo X-rays on Wednesday which will give a clearer indication of the prognosis, with Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon saying: “The horse is doing well and was back sound, which is good.

Field Of Gold on his way to post at Goodwood
Field Of Gold on his way to post at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“He’s got a little bit of swelling in his fetlock but John and Thady are much happier with him so the plan is to do the X-ray on Wednesday – they’ve just pushed it back a day, as the longer you can leave it, the clearer the picture is.

“That will give us some more insight and if the X-ray is clear, we can hopefully start back into some light exercise towards the end of the week or early next week.

“York though is definitely not going to happen at this stage.”

Having dazzled when claiming Classic honours in Ireland and scorching to St James’s Palace Stakes victory at the Royal meeting, there has been plenty of conversation over whether Field Of Gold will try to repeat those heroics up in trip or continue to be the stand out performer of the year at eight furlongs.

The Juddmonte star holds entries in both the Prix du Moulin (ParisLongchamp, September 7) and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Ascot, October 18) at a mile later in the campaign, while he could yet test the waters up in distance in Leopardstown’s Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes on September 13.

Field Of Gold dazzled in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot
Field Of Gold dazzled in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

However, the colt’s name was notably missing from the entries for the Qipco Champion Stakes over further on the same afternoon as his engagement in the QEII, with race planning currently taking a backseat until one of the season’s top performers returns to full fitness.

Mahon added: “It was the plan pre-Goodwood to stick at a mile for the time being and obviously there has been no chat about potential races since Goodwood, we’re just going to have to let the dust settle and let him get back into exercise and then when he is fit make a plan from there.

“You are getting into that time of year when there is not an abundance of opportunities and there is the Moulin, QEII or you go up to a mile and a quarter for the races at that distance.

“So I wouldn’t say there is a huge amount of options, but we’ll just wait and see and let the horse tell us.”

While the Gosdens might not have Field Of Gold in the Juddmonte International, they still have a very strong contender in Ombudsman.

Ombudsman impressed in the Price of Wales's Stakes
Ombudsman impressed in the Price of Wales’s Stakes (David Davies/PA)

“He won the Prince of Wales’s first time in a Group One and showed he’s up to that level. The Eclipse, again he ran a very good race, beaten by a top-class three-year-old (Delacroix) coming through,” said Thady Gosden.

“He’s come out of that race well, had a little freshen up and (is) heading to the Juddmonte International hopefully.

“He’s such a genuine horse, has got the speed required and hopefully can run a good one there.

“It’s a career-defining race for a lot of horses. If you win the Juddmonte International it certainly means a lot – depth of the field and the quality to it. And then, of course, York’s a very fair track; so often the best horse wins and it’s something that everyone aspires to.”

Williams believes Quinault has ‘more to offer’ at York

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Quinault will aim to extend his unbeaten run at York to four in what is sure to be a red-hot renewal of the Sky Bet City of York Stakes on August 23.

Stuart Williams’ prolific winner booked his spot in the new Group One when successful in the Criterion Stakes on the Knavesmire in June, a race which qualified him to start in the City of York.

“We had him spot on for that race (in June) and you’re delighted to win a race there, of that prestige, and get the win-and-you’re-in prize for the City of York,” said Williams.

“He obviously loves the track, it’s suited him really well and he’s unbeaten up there.

“It’s hard to assess what’s going to run at the moment, but they’ll have to run hard to beat him. He tries like hell and wherever he finishes he’ll do his absolute best. They’ll have to keep up with him because he’ll go a good clip – and he keeps going.

“In the race (the Criterion) he won there, they were sort of catching him halfway up the straight, but he did the second-quickest last furlong, so he was not stopping at the end. We’re hopeful he can do that again.

“I still think he’s got more to offer – I still think he’s on his improve.”

He added: “I think it’s an important thing for the calendar to have a Group One seven-furlong race in Britain – it fits in well with the (Prix de la) Foret, which is six weeks further down the line. It should be a nice stepping-stone for that.

“We’ll enjoy the day whatever happens, I’m sure he’ll do his best and he won’t be far away.”

Palmer considering Deauville or Newmarket for Fitzella

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Hugo Palmer is weighing up his options with Fitzella after her impressive victory in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot last month, with France and Newmarket on the radar.

The daughter of Too Darn Hot broke her maiden at Haydock and was not disgraced in the Albany Stakes at the Royal meeting when fourth behind Karl Burke’s smart Venetian Sun.

But she came out on top on her return to the Berkshire circuit when beating Staya by a length and Palmer is now plotting where to send her next before a trip to the Breeders’ Cup.

The Malpas-based handler said: “We were very pleased with that. She seems to have come out of it in very good order.

“She’s already had four starts. It’s a question of how many more times do we want to run her this season. She’s kind of grown and changed all year and I think she is a filly with a future, I don’t think she is just a two-year-old.

“In my mind there will probably be no more than two more goes this year. She is potentially a filly for the Breeders’ Cup, so that possibly means just one more European run. We want to do everything we can to make sure that’s a winning European run before we go to California.

“In my head I thought maybe the Prix du Calvados (at Deauville on August 24), which is where Simmering went last year after winning the Princess Margaret and I thought that looked quite a nice fit.

“Predicting and reading the ground in France is tricky and she does want top of the ground, but it’s very hot in August in Deauville and it dries out very quickly being by the beach and by the river and we’ll just have to be on weather watch.

“If that didn’t work I thought probably the Rockfel (at Newmarket on September 26) would be an obvious target, it’ll be another month later but the Cambridgeshire meeting tends to throw up quite quick ground, still being relatively early.

“She is in the Moyglare as well. But the Moyglare being that jump to Group One company might be the hardest way to keep her unbeaten, to make sure her next run is a winning one.

“Any Group winning two-year-old from this point of the season onwards, you’re thinking about the Guineas. There’s a lot of water to throw under the bridge between now and then but that’s what we’d like her to be.”

Racing Bulletin for 05/08/2025

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Ffos Las

Good

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Catterick

Good

 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
Roscommon

Yielding

 16:38 17:10 17:45 18:20 18:55 19:30 20:00 20:30
Newbury

Good

 17:30 18:05 18:40 19:15 19:45 20:15

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Howd’yadoit proves a pleasant surprise for Lyons in Naas feature

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Howd’yadoit left Ger Lyons “gobsmacked”, as Colin Keane timed it to perfection in landing the richly-endowed Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas.

Completing a treble on the day, Keane got up close home on the 13-2 chance – who had shed his maiden tag at the fourth time of asking at Down Royal last month – to hold off Unbreakable Duke by a nose.

Unbreakable Duke was subsequently demoted to third, with Summer Is Tomorrow promoted to second, following a stewards’ inquiry into interference.

British raider Jel Pepper (6-4 favourite) was fourth for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense was withdrawn by Joseph O’Brien due to unsuitable ground.

Lyons – who teamed up with Keane to land this race with Sacred Bridge in 2021 – admitted: “I’m gobsmacked, as I didn’t think he’d be good enough.

“What an honest horse, he’s been doing it well. We wanted to win a maiden en route to winning a nursery, but he (handicapper) hit him with a mark that I thought was ridiculous for what I felt was a poor maiden.

“We came here because it was a good pot, and I said any bit of the prize-money is grand. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he’d win.”

He added: “I’m delighted as Sean’s (Jones, owner) horses are now bought for and named by his sons Eddie and James to keep them interested and they are here today. They are the next generation, so it’s great.

“Sean has been with me from day one and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”

Nunthorpe challenge still in the mix for Lady Iman

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The Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes remains a tantalising option for Lady Iman after she provided the O’Callaghan family with another memorable moment in a dream summer at Goodwood.

It is often said that one man’s misfortune is another man’s gain and after bringing the hammer down for £185,000 at the sales before being returned to her breeders following a failed post-sale veterinary examination, few would have blamed the O’Callaghans of Tally-Ho Stud fame for feeling despondent.

However, sent into training with Ger Lyons, Lady Iman has proven a standard-bearer in more ways than one, both excelling on the track in the O’Callaghan silks and becoming the perfect advertisement for Tally-Ho’s freshman sire Starman in the process.

After three straight victories Lady Iman and her striking white face met a bump in the road at the Curragh in the Airlie Stud Stakes, but was soon back showcasing the speed that has been a hallmark of her career to date to leave the opposition trailing with a dazzling display in the Molecomb Stakes.

“It was great to see her win again and we’re living the dream and we’ll see where she takes us,” said Roger O’Callaghan, son of Tony and Anne O’Callaghan.

“She’s been awesome since we couldn’t sell her. Before Christmas she was showing plenty and looked a bit different. She’s always shown loads and her temperament is second to none. She is why Starman looks to be a good stallion, as she has got his speed and his temperament.

“We’re all enjoying it and hopefully we’re not finished yet.”

Lady Iman returns after her Goodwood win
Lady Iman returns after her Goodwood win (Andrew Matthews/PA)

It was not just the speed shown by Lady Iman on the racecourse the O’Callaghans enjoyed at Goodwood, as unlike their star performer, they were asked to take the foot off their gas when getting to experience horse power of a different kind and invited to try out the South Downs’ famous motor circuit.

And having enjoyed the hospitality provided during Lady Iman’s first raid to Britain, the owners are now left to ponder the next steps of the thriving juvenile’s career.

With a ticket to the $1million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint ready to be cashed in later in the year courtesy of her Molecomb triumph, the chance to become the first two-year-old Nunthorpe winner since Kingsgate Native in 2007 is getting connections thinking after she was made the general 4-1 favourite for a daring raid on the Knavesmire’s sprint feature.

“Personally I would like to go for the Nunthorpe,” continued O’Callaghan.

“Dad and myself own the filly together and dad might prefer the filly to stick to her own age group, but if she’s fit and well, I would like to take on the elders, you have to live the dream and live for the moment.

“We’ll worry about it when the time comes, there’s a few weeks yet and we would have to write a bit of a cheque (to supplement), so we’ll see.

“The trainer is very keen on the Breeders’ Cup and Goodwood was a ‘win and you’re in’. We’ll take it one day at a time, but I would like to go to York next.”

Tudhope backs up Group One strike with Ripon double

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Fresh from Group One glory in France on Sunday with Fallen Angel, Danny Tudhope was in double form at Ripon on Monday from just three rides.

His old ally David O’Meara provided both and in Goyard, winner of the ripon-races.co.uk Book Now For Saturday August 16th Novice Stakes, they may have an above-average recruit for his part-owner, Brighton footballer Giorgino Rutter.

A six-and-a-half-length winner on soft ground over six furlongs at Ripon last time out, he dropped to the minimum trip with aplomb, defeating another previous winner in Right And Exact by a cosy half-length.

“Obviously he was back in trip today and he was certainly sharp enough,” said Tudhope of the 1-3 favourite.

“We were drawn wide, but he was quick enough to get across and get the rail.

“He’s a big, gross horse and there should be more to come. Today he was more lively, but he had to be over this trip.

“He’s a grand horse going forward. Whatever he does he’s going to get better and there should be more to come.”

O’Meara’s Tiva (13-8 favourite) then had very little bother in winning the Weatherbys Bloodstock Pro Fillies’ Handicap.

Reflecting on his first top-level success since winning the Irish 1000 Guineas on the same filly last May, Tudhope said: “It was a brilliant day and great to get back on her.

“To go and do what she did again yesterday was unbelievable and she’s now a Group One winner at two, three and four which is a great achievement.

“I think she’s going for the Matron Stakes next.”

Another nice winner on the card was Simon and Ed Crisford’s Dandana, who defied market weakness to claim the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

With Karl Burke’s Pearl Fortune the 5-4 favourite and plenty of support for Tudhope’s mount Rogue Temptation, Dandana was sent off at 3-1 despite winning her debut impressively.

The three came well clear and it was Harry Davies’ mount who took the spoils by half a length. The other pair dead-heated for second.

Davies said: “She’s a nice filly. We’ve always liked her. She’s a bit quirky, she probably wasn’t in love with this track but she’s got through it and she’s won with a penalty.

“She’s had to be tough. From the two-furlong pole it’s slightly downhill and I think she was probably always doing enough, every time they came to her she went on. She could be all right.

“The rail definitely helps on a green filly. I’m not sure we’ll bring her here again, though.

“With racing she’ll come forward. She’s pretty quirky but I’m sure she’d be fine stepping up in grade, she possibly could be a stakes filly as she was quietly impressive there.”

Tim Easterby’s Mister Sox (6-1) came with a well-timed ride under Sean Kirrane to win the feature Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap.

“He’s a lovely horse and he likes it here. He’s been great for us and is just improving with age,” said Easterby of the five-year-old.

“He’s by Pivotal and they take longer to reach their peak.”

Danon Decile ready to go in search of International honours

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Japanese star Danon Decile has completed his final workout before leaving for the UK and his bid for glory in the Juddmonte International at York on August 20.

The four-year-old was put through his paces at Ritto Training Centre and was ridden by his trainer, Shogo Yasuda.

Danon Decile won the Sheema Classic at Meydan in April, beating the top-class Calandagan, who has won two Group Ones since, by a length and a quarter.

“We wanted to see how well he could settle behind another horse while going left-handed, and also get a sense of how much pressure he can handle once he’s over there (in the UK). He’s handled the heat well and managed his time leading up to quarantine smoothly,” Yasuda told Japan’s Daily Sports.

“He’s matured since the Dubai trip, but there’s still a bit of youth in him. If he can grow from this experience, I’m excited about what’s to come.”

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