Tag Archive for: Soprano

Believing set to light up sales ring

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Believing will be one of the star attractions when she heads to the December Mares’ Sale early next month.

One of the most consistent sprinters around, George Boughey’s charge went to the Del Mar in a bid to bow out in a blaze of glory on her final start for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, but reared and unseated Ryan Moore in the stalls.

Although Believing escaped the incident unscathed, she was quickly withdrawn from the contest leaving connections to wonder what might have been in a race won by Ralph Beckett’s Starlust.

Believing has been a star for her connections
Believing has been a star for her connections (Richard Sellers/PA)

She will now head to Tattersalls for the Sceptre Sessions, which take place on December 2 and 3, as one of the feature lots.

Harry Herbert, managing director of Highclere, said: “It was not our finest hour, but these things happen. It was agony watching the whole thing unfold and we took her there thinking it was very probable/possible the pace would collapse, which it did, and which would have suited our filly down to the ground.

“It’s history now though and was just unfortunate. She’s come back and she now heads to the December Mares’ Sales. She’s out of contract with us this year, so rather like Cachet a couple of years ago, she heads to Tattersalls for the Sceptre Sessions.

“One would like to think with her brilliant record and fabulous looks, she is not only a breeder’s dream, but she could also race on for someone and she’s a high-class racing and breeding prospect and for anyone who wants a horse to run in Group One sprints next year, she’s a very attractive package.

“She’s such a beautiful filly with a wonderful conformation and she would be significant in anyone’s broodmare band. When you also have a temperament like hers which is extraordinarily sound, rather like her father Mehmas, it is worth their weight in gold as a broodmare prospect.”

Soprano won the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot
Soprano won the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Also in action in California was another of the owner’s and Boughey’s standout performers, Royal Ascot heroine Soprano, who failed to see out the 11-furlong trip in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Unlike Believing, she is one who will return to Boughey’s Saffron House Stables next season to continue her career, when she is likely to revert back to the mile distance she has thrived over in 2024.

“Soprano is fine and she was drawn out in the ‘boonies’ and unfortunately there is nothing anyone can do,” continued Herbert.

“I don’t think we’ll run her over that trip again. I think she definitely didn’t stay, but we learned plenty and we needed to find out.

“She was in top form going into the race and we’ll bring her back to a mile, possibly nine furlongs abroad, but a stiffish mile over here suits her well. She will be staying in training with us as a four-year-old next year.”

There may be a slight changing of the guard for the Highclere team with Believing heading to pastures new, but there are high hopes many of this year’s two-year-olds can make their mark during their Classic season.

Herbert added: “We’ve got Orchid who is an exciting filly, so is Bountiful and there’s also Centigrade who is down with Ralph Beckett and looks a bit special and won very impressively at Newbury – he could be the best colt we’ve had for a while.

“We’ll look forward to 2025 and we’re always optimistic. We’ve shaken ourselves off after the debacle of Del Mar and have plenty to look forward to with some excitement through the winter.”



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Loughnane relishing Soprano Breeders’ Cup chance

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Billy Loughnane believes Soprano’s recent American outing should have her primed for the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar.

The three-year-old has been a star performer for Loughnane this term, winning the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot for the young rider and finishing a creditable third in the Group One Matron Stakes on her penultimate run.

Trainer George Boughey then opted to send Soprano for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland and while she ultimately proved no match for the six-length winner She Feels Pretty, Loughnane felt the experience will help his filly.

He said: “I’m looking forward to getting out there, she’s in good shape so we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

“Soprano has been a star for us this season, so consistent.

“She ran very well out there in the QEII which will hopefully set her in good stead.”

Loughnane will be making his Breeders’ Cup debut aboard the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned Soprano and would relish any further opportunities at the high-profile fixture, should they come his way.

He added: “I’m not sure if I’ve got anything else confirmed as yet.”



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Soprano heading to Del Mar for Breeders’ Cup challenge

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Soprano is to stay in America for a shot at the Breeders’ Cup, where she will step up in trip again for the Filly & Mare Turf.

Trainer George Boughey’s brave decision to send her to Keeneland for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup was certainly worthwhile as she finished a meritorious second, albeit beaten six lengths by impressive winner She Feels Pretty.

That was over nine furlongs, having finished off strongly over a mile when third in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. Now she will run over the best part of a mile and a half at the Breeders’ Cup.

“We were thrilled with her and she’s still learning really, she didn’t take the last bend quite as she might have done,” said Harry Herbert, managing director of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

“She’s run on really well, the winner had got away and looked an exceptional animal on the day. We were just thrilled to bits and the plan is to keep her in America and aim her at the Filly & Mare.

“The travelling didn’t bother her, I just think she needs to go further. I suspect her optimum trip is going to be a mile and a quarter in Europe. I know it is a mile and three at Del Mar but it’s a very sharp track and a very easy mile and three, so that’s the plan, which is very exciting.”

Another filly who has done Highclere proud this year is Believing, who has finished in the first four in five Group One sprints this season, unfortunately without winning one.

Believing has been ultra-consistent this season
Believing has been ultra-consistent this season (Niall Carson/PA)

“Believing won’t go to Ascot, she’ll go for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint as she needs a bit more time after the Abbaye,” said Herbert.

“She’s fantastic, she’s doing really well, but I think that is the best option for her and then that will be her last race for Highclere before she goes to the sales in December.

“Her and Bradsell are two fantastic horses, but we know out there she can’t afford to have a flat spot so we might put cheekpieces on her in America, to see if that sharpens her up a little bit more, it is a pretty good track for closers.”

Teenage sensation Billy Loughnane rode Soprano at Keeneland and in victory at Royal Ascot, but as yet no decision has been made who will ride her next month. Plans are, though confirmed for Believing.

“At the moment we don’t know who will ride Soprano, I haven’t had a chance to talk to George yet, but we’ve got Ryan (Moore) booked for Believing, he’s ridden her before and he’ll be out there,” said Herbert.



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Soprano could be pitched at Keeneland contest next

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George Boughey is eyeing a possible trip to Kentucky with Soprano following her third-place finish in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Winner of the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, the daughter of Starspangledbanner had since struck Group Three gold in France, earning her a step up to Group One level in Ireland.

Boughey feels his star filly produced a career-best performance in picking up the bronze medal behind multiple Group One winner Porta Fortuna and Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Fallen Angel and will now aim to secure a top-level prize of his own before the season is out, potentially in America next month.

“She’s for a long time threatened to be a Group One filly and I was slightly scratching my head for a large part of her career so far,” said the Newmarket handler.

“I think a change of tactics has been a huge help to her going forward. She was given a brilliant ride by Billy (Loughnane) on Saturday to get the position she did from a wide gate and she possibly used a bit of juice to get there, so I’m very proud of her and good to see her back at that level.

“Huge credit has to go to Charles Eddery, who rides her every day at home and travelled her over to Ireland the other day. He knows her inside out and was very bullish that she’d be in the shake-up against some very good fillies.

“Not many win four Group Ones, as Porta Fortuna has this year, and there was a Classic winner in second, so she’s mixing it with the very best.”

Considering future plans, Boughey added: “She may well go to Keeneland for the QEII on October 12. It’s a nine-furlong, three-year-old fillies only Group One that is worth just shy of $1million, so that’s a possible plan for her next.”



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Still Believing! Highclere have sights set on big Irish prizes

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Connections of Believing are hopeful she can finally land an elusive Group One when she takes her place in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh later this month.

The George Boughey-trained daughter of Mehmas was behind Bradsell by just three-quarters of a length in the Nunthorpe at York with an unfavourable draw.

That followed on from two near misses in the space of four days for the four-year-old at Royal Ascot, when beaten a length and a half and two and three-quarter lengths respectively in the King Charles III Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

Believing pulls away to win the Sapphire Stakes
Believing pulls away to win the Sapphire Stakes (Niall Carson/PA)

In between she enjoyed Group Two success in the Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh in the hands of Ryan Moore, before being only three-quarters of a length third in the King George at Goodwood to Big Evs and Asfoora.

Harry Herbert of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing is looking forward to a rematch with Bradsell in Ireland.

He said: “You’d have to say if she’d be drawn the other side (in the Nunthorpe) it would have been very close! It was close enough anyway, three-quarters of a length and seeing where she came from to get there…

“A wonderful performance and sensational splits through those last two furlongs so we head to the Curragh for the Flying Five, on a track where she won a Group Two last time and hopefully she will be highly competitive again.

“She always runs her heart out, she’s such an extraordinary filly and she bounces out of her races and has been kept very busy, when you think starting in Hong Kong where it was a deluge and the ground went against her, and then going every two or three weeks and twice at Royal Ascot and she’s still firing.

“She’s an extraordinary animal and giving everyone a lot of fun, so we hope it doesn’t get too soft over in Ireland and she can go one better.

“For everyone it’s to try to win a Group One, as a broodmare prospect winning a Group One with the rest of her CV to back that up is very special indeed when she eventually heads to the sales, so we’re very hopeful that she can do that in Ireland.

“We’ll see who turns up and what the ground is like and see what the final field for the Saturday looks like. Game on (for the rematch with Bradsell). He’s a wonderful horse, Bradsell, fantastic, and we weren’t that far away on the wrong side.

“This is a straight five and hopefully we can get Ryan again and Bradsell will obviously be a pretty warm favourite and we hope to go one better.”

Soprano winning the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot
Soprano winning the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Soprano is another Highclere-owned filly hunting a first Group One when she lines up in the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes at Leopardstown 24 hours earlier.

Also trained by Boughey, the daughter of Starspangledbanner won at Royal Ascot this year and was last seen landing a Group Three at Deauville where a change of tactics bore fruit.

Usually held up, William Buick sent her to the front of the field and she kept on strongly to come home three lengths clear of Rose Bloom.

Herbert said: “She’s thriving, she’s fantastic and I think what we learned in France was very much that we won’t be afraid to ride her prominently.

“She’s had this little bit of a quirk where she’s running free and then it’s settle her down, settle her down at the back and in fact what she wants to be doing is be much more prominent.

“She seems to really enjoy that style of racing so in Ireland that will very much be the plan to ride her sensibly but don’t give her too much to do.”



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Soprano likely to be given chance to prove herself in top-level company

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George Boughey was thrilled to see Soprano hit the right note and return to winning ways Deauville on Thursday and has predicted she is only just getting started.

The daughter of Starspangledbanner has always been held in high regard by her connections and was a player in some hot heats at two.

After some respectable efforts earlier this season, she has thrived since upped to a mile and became a Royal Ascot winner when striking in the Sandringham.

After getting stuck in soft ground in the Coral Distaff on her next start, she struggled to land a blow at Ascot in the Valiant Stakes on her return to Ascot.

However, she secured Group honours for the first time when blitzing the opposition in the Prix de Lieurey, with a return to the forward-going tactics which served her well previously credited as the reason for her resurgence on French soil.

“I think I probably hold myself accountable for her riding instructions to date,” explained Boughey.

“She’s a filly who was very good on the front-end when chasing home Shuwari and Fallen Angel in the Star Stakes. She carries her head a bit funny and we decided to try to tuck her in and ride her to finish. It worked at Royal Ascot in the Sandringham and we went back to the old tactics of dropping her in and she just never quite got there.

“It was a bit of a bold move, but I was very keen for William to go forward and keep wide at Deauville and she is a filly who loves it on the front end. She hit the line very strong.”

Soprano holds an entry at Leopardstown in the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes next month, with Boughey admitting that race is a possibility with the filly warranting her chance to prove her quality at a higher level.

Soprano (left) winning the Sandringham Stakes
Soprano (left) winning the Sandringham Stakes (John Walton/PA)

The Saffron House handler has also expressed his wish to see her return next season at four, feeling the Highclere Thoroughbreds-owned charge is getting better and better with experience.

He added: “She’s a filly who deserves to step up in grade again, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her racing again next year as she is a filly who is getting better with age and with racing.

“It (Leopardstown) is a possibility, but we will see how she comes out of the race. She has always taken her racing incredibly well – even as a two-year-old – but it is all up in the air a bit at the moment.”



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Boughey backing Soprano to be on song in Valiant Stakes

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Royal Ascot heroine Soprano returns to the scene of her finest hour seeking a first Group-level victory in the Longines Valiant Stakes.

George Boughey’s daughter of Starspangledbanner thrived over Ascot’s straight mile when claiming the Sandringham Stakes at the Royal meeting, but now looks to claim Group Three honours when tackling the Berkshire track’s round course.

Since her Sandringham success she has finished a respectable third when encountering soft ground in Sandown’s Listed Coral Distaff.

However, conditions should be ideal on Saturday afternoon for the three-year-old to return to her very best, with weighing-room star Billy Loughnane retaining the partnership.

Billy Loughnane celebrates with George Boughey after winning the Sandringham Stakes
Billy Loughnane celebrates with George Boughey after winning the Sandringham Stakes (John Walton/PA)

Boughey said: “It was a gallant effort on ground that was probably too slow for her at Sandown but it was good to see her show her versatility.

“She was never likely to get into the race from that draw and having to sit so far off the pace, but I couldn’t be much happier with how she has trained heading into this race and hopefully we get some decent ground and she should go there with a very good chance.

“There’s happy memories at Ascot and she’s a much more straightforward filly these days, you can just ride her wherever she lands and it’s over to Billy – he knows her very well from home and obviously on the track now as well.”

Soprano is one of a trio of three-year-olds in the contest, with John and Thady Gosden’s Friendly Soul dropping back in trip having disappointed when sent off favourite for the Musidora earlier in the season and Charlie Appleby’s Devoted Queen looking to maintain her unbeaten record.

Having opened her account at Newmarket late last season, Devoted Queen has confirmed the promise in two outings this year, firstly scoring at Kempton before striking at Listed level at York.

Devoted Queen is unbeaten in three starts
Devoted Queen is unbeaten in three starts (Steven Paston/PA)

She has been off the track since that impressive two-length victory on the Knavesmire in May, but the talented daughter of Kingman now returns taking another step up in grade.

“Devoted Queen has had a nice break since York and we feel that she is ready to step up into Group company,” Appleby told www.godolphin.com.

“She goes into this on the back of a nice preparation and we are looking forward to seeing how she gets on.”

The best of the older horses on official ratings is David Menuisier’s Sirona, with rider Oisin Murphy confident she can make her presence felt back at this level having dipped her toe into elite company in the Falmouth Stakes.

Before that run, she placed in Group Three company at both Haydock and Lingfield and is a filly who rarely disappoints her connections.

“She’s trained really well since David has got her and both of us have always liked her,” said Murphy.

“She has done nothing wrong in her starts this year.

“We obviously respect the three-year-old who gets weight, Devoted Queen, but Sirona comes out the highest rated and I would be very hopeful she will put up a brave show.”

William Haggas’ Doom was a respectable third in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at the Royal meeting and has been a consistent operator at this level, while Ryan Moore gets the leg-up aboard Joseph O’Brien’s Irish raider Thornbrook.

David O’Meara’s Julia Augusta and Richard Spencer’s Naomi Lapaglia complete the field.



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Loughnane hoping Soprano will be on song again at Sandown

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Soprano hit all the right notes for Billy Loughnane at Royal Ascot and the duo are out for another starring role in the Coral Distaff at Sandown on Saturday.

Loughnane lit up Royal Ascot with his exploits in the saddle and having won the Coventry on 80-1 outsider Rashabar on day one, doubled his tally at the sport’s showcase meeting when expertly guiding Soprano home in the ultra-competitive Sandringham Stakes.

It was a victory which meant a great deal, as it came for trainer George Boughey and owners Highclere Thoroughbreds, who have both been great supporters of the 18-year-old Loughnane.

Now he hopes to excel in the plate once again as the duo search for Listed honours on the Coral-Eclipse undercard in Esher.

Loughnane said: “It’s a chance for another big day and Soprano has been drawn wide again unfortunately, so we will have to see how she jumps from the gate. She’s been a great filly for me this year and hopefully she can continue her recent run of form.

“She’s a filly who stays the mile really well and she had good two-year-old form over seven furlongs. She had just been a bit free in her work, so we were dropping her back in trip, but she relaxed great at Ascot and hit the line well and we will probably be looking to do something similar.

“It was a massive day at Ascot, great for George, the team and everyone at Highclere as well. Highclere have been very good to me this year and have given me my first ever Listed winner and a Royal Ascot winner, so hopefully we can keep the ball rolling.”

Rated only 5lb inferior to Soprano is Clove Hitch, who takes a significant rise in class following an impressive eight-length romp when opening her account at Newbury.

Trained by Andrew Balding, she is one of two in the race for owners Juddmonte and prior to opening her account, the daughter of Siyouni had shaped nicely behind both Cat Ninja and William Haggas’ Dante scorer Economics.

“There’s not many horses get rated 102 after winning a maiden (novice) and she’s a nice filly,” said Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon.

“She ran a great race behind Cat Ninja at Windsor the time before and she was placed behind Economics on her first run back, so she’s run some good races and she’s a promising filly.

“We’re looking forward to seeing her on the track again.”

Juddmonte will also be represented by Ralph Beckett’s Indelible, who served a reminder of her potential in her Doncaster return and was fourth behind Soprano when sent off at 5-1 for the Sandringham at Ascot.

Also doubly represented are the training team of John and Thady Gosden, who rely on Height Of Fashion Stakes runner-up Regal Jubilee and Spiritual, who filled the same position at York when last seen in the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Fillies’ Stakes.

“It’s a stiff mile at Sandown and Regal Jubilee is a filly with a good turn of foot. She obviously ran a nice race last time out at Goodwood to finish second,” said Thady Gosden.

“Spiritual has been in good form since York and the track at Sandown, a stiff mile will suit her well also. She’s a filly who has improved with every run.”

There is an Irish raider in the form of Joseph O’Brien’s Unreasonable, who has performed with credit at a useful level in her two starts this term.

O’Brien said: “She has already got herself a bit of black type and we’re going over there hoping to win a stakes race.

“Ideally, she wouldn’t want any rain, but she goes over in good form and it would be great if she could sneak another bit of black type.”

Agnes Keyser Fillies’ Stakes runner-up Bolsena drops back to a mile for Kevin Ryan, with the Haggas-trained Tiaraqueen and Jack Channon’s Gray’s Inn completing the line-up.



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Boughey expects Flying Five to prove perfect test for Believing

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George Boughey is confident the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh could be Believing’s “opportunity for her to be the shortest price in a Group One” later this season.

June was a productive month for the four-year-old filly as she returned to the winner’s enclosure in the Achilles Stakes at Haydock before making two appearances at Royal Ascot within four days, finishing fourth on both occasions in the King Charles III Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

This came on the back of her finishing down the field in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong on her seasonal appearance in April and Boughey believes his confidence in the daughter of Mehmas was well placed following her three subsequent starts.

Believing wins the Betfred Passionate About Sport Achilles Stakes at Haydock
Believing starred last month with victory at Haydock before two fourth-placed finishes at Royal Ascot (Richard Sellers/PA)

The Newmarket handler admitted he had harboured ideas of heading for the Irish Group One before the current campaign began and those plans still remain in place.

Believing is set to travel across the Irish Sea for the Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes later this month before starting in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood in August, with the Flying Five Stakes at the top of the agenda on September 15.

“Thrilled with her, she’s a filly who probably needs it to go all her way at the top level, but she is a filly who can ply her trade at the top level,” Boughey said.

“I was delighted with her, she’s an incredibly tough, resilient animal to have come back from a pretty resounding defeat in Hong Kong and bounce back in the style that she did at Haydock. I was pretty confident going into Ascot that she was going to run a bold race, and she did twice.

“She’s the dream mare at the end of her career. She’s incredibly robust, sound minded, sound physically and she’s got a big year ahead of her.

“She’s had a quiet week, 10 days, out in the paddock at the moment and we are looking forward to getting her back in, in the next couple of days.

“In an ideal world, I think a stiff five (furlongs) or an easy six is what she wants. Danny (Tudhope) was pleased with her on the Saturday (at Royal Ascot), but he felt it just slightly stretched her late on, so the stiff five at the Curragh might just be the ticket for her.

“The Flying Five stood out to me as the opportunity for her to be the shortest price in a Group One this season. She’s shown versatility, winning at Haydock over five and then at Ascot over six.

“She will probably go to the Curragh and for her pedigree, it’s trying to make her a Group Two winner. She is taking a drop in grade, she takes her racing very well. She could feasibly do the Curragh and Goodwood.

“The Nunthorpe is probably unlikely, but then Flying Five. We’ll see, but she’s in good shape and flying the flag at the highest level.”

Saffron House celebrated a winner at the Royal meeting in the form of Soprano, the three-year-old filly who won the Sandringham Stakes by half a length ahead of Strutting.

She could tackle the Coral Distaff at Sandown on Saturday in her bid to make it back-to-back victories before returning to Pattern company this summer.

“She was impressive. It’s not lost on me how much work has gone into this horse,” Boughey said. “Charles Eddery, who rides her every day, an apprentice himself, has done a super job with her.

Billy Loughnane celebrates after winning the Sandringham Stakes aboard Soprano at Royal Ascot
Billy Loughnane and George Boughey celebrate after winning the Sandringham Stakes (John Walton/PA)

“She was deceptive, I kind of thought she was a sprinter for a long time because of how she trained at home and how she was a bit free on the track, but her pedigree would suggest she’s a miler.

“She’s out of a sister to a Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and she’s got a bit of length to her and doesn’t look like a sprinter.

“I think I told the owners in the paddock after the Albany that we will never see her run over six furlongs again, less than a month later I’m still running her at six furlongs.

“It’s nice when it comes together like that, and for (owners) Highclere, it really is their showpiece event of the year – it is for everyone, but none more so than them.

“She’s actually just had an entry in the Listed race at Sandown this week. She’s come out of the race in fantastic form, arguably in better form than she was going into it (Royal Ascot).

“Really thriving and a filly that really took her racing well at two, she’s continuing to do so at three. It’s a step back into stakes company, but she looked like she was the top rated and we will certainly consider it through the week.”

Pentle Bay was the best of the rest in the Chesham Stakes as Bedtime Story blitzed the field by nine and a half lengths in one of the most destructive performances of Royal Ascot.

Boughey revealed the star two-year-old colt may not be on British shores for much longer, although he still has targets for the son of New Bay before relocating to Australia.

Bedtime Story powers to victory in the Chesham Stakes on day five of Royal Ascot
Pentle Bay, centre yellow hat, finishes second behind Bedtime Story in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

He said: “Pentle Bay was super. Obviously bumped into an outstanding filly in Bedtime Story, he’s still a baby and it was very much the plan to ride him to hit the line like he did. I think Ciaron Maher and Teme Valley are going to have a lovely horse going forward.

“He’s not finished with us yet, but he will be heading down to Australia at some point and a race like the Vintage (Stakes at Goodwood) is a possibility for him. He’s come out of the race in great shape and we will be persisting with stakes company.

“At some point at the end of the year I would imagine, unless he really leaps forward and proves he can be a top force here, his future will probably lie in Australia.”

Boughey also enjoyed place honours in the King George V Stakes with Fouroneohfever, who finished fourth, and the three-year-old is in line for a swift return to the track in either the bet365 Handicap at Haydock or the Coral Daily Rewards Shaker Handicap at Sandown on Saturday.

“Fouroneohfever ran a massive race. He was fourth in the King George V, he might well run again this weekend, he has a couple of entries,” Boughey added.

“He’s a big, raw animal, he’s improving all the time, by Too Darn Hot. He could run on Saturday at Sandown or at Haydock, he’s come out of the race in super shape.”



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Loughnane hits another Ascot high as Soprano comes out top in Sandringham

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Billy Loughnane struck for the second time during Royal Ascot, as Soprano hit the right note in the Sandringham Stakes.

Winner of the Coventry Stakes on the opening day of the meeting, the 18-year-old was wearing the blue silks of Highclere Thoroughbreds aboard George Boughey’s three-year-old, who was good enough to place in group company as a two-year-old.

Third in the Albany at this meeting 12 months ago, she was racing in a handicap for the first time in this one-mile event and was sent off at 14-1.

With the action favouring those racing on the stands side of the track, the daughter of Starspangledbanner burst out of the pack to hunt down Rachel King aboard John and Thady Gosden’s Strutting deep inside the final furlong to win by half a length.

Loughnane said: “I had to bide my time, and she finished off very well. Her form was very strong from a two-year-old and this is her first step back in a handicap – she’d been running in stakes company – and first try over the mile as well.

George Boughey greets Billy Loughnane
George Boughey greets Billy Loughnane (John Walton/PA)

“She hit the line well. She’s a filly with a lot of ability and, if I’m honest, she probably would have been a lot closer at Musselburgh. She was a bit slow through the gates on a front-running course. I was too far behind and I didn’t give her the greatest of rides. I’m delighted to be able to repay the owners and thank them very much for keeping faith.

“It means a lot to ride a winner for George. I had my first winner for him a year ago last week and we’ve had plenty more since. Without George, I’m not sure I would have kept the momentum up after losing my claim. He’s been massive for me and I’ve got a lot to thank him for.

“This is a dream come true and the week keeps getting better and better. When you get the feeling, you always want to have it again.”

Boughey said: “Unlucky wouldn’t quite quantify it. Huge credit has to go to Harry (Herbert, Highclere racing manager), we had a long phone conversation in the office the other morning, I wanted to go to Carlisle and he wanted to go to Ascot!

“She’s been a filly we’ve always held in really high regard, leaving Epsom (on Derby day) I said ‘we’ve got to go to the Sandringham, we’ve got to try the mile’ because she hit the line so strong at Musselburgh.

“She’s been difficult, she’s been a bit keen and a bit numb. Billy did a great job settling her but she’s taken a while to relax at home. I was thinking I was saddling her there, she was mauling me as a two-year-old but she stood quiet as a lamb and she’s come of age, just like her jockey.”

Yorkshire-based father and daughter training team of David and Nicola Barron that came out on top with Pilgrim in the closing Palace of Holyrood House Stakes.

A wide-margin winner at Musselburgh earlier this month, the son of Havana Grey was expertly steered to an 18-1 success by Gold Cup-winning jockey Joe Fanning.

He said: “He’s done it well there.

“We always thought that he was a really nice horse, not just a good two-year-old, and he’s shown there today he’s good.

“It’s a great place to come and have a winner, so it’s very nice.”



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Conditions key as Boughey outlines Cachet options

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George Boughey will wait until later in the week before deciding whether to send Cachet to France for Sunday’s Prix de la Foret or wait for the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket the following Saturday.

Last season’s 1000 Guineas heroine did not run between Royal Ascot last summer and this year’s St Leger Festival at Doncaster, an absence totalling exactly 15 months.

The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned filly could finish only fourth in the Group Three Sceptre Stakes on Town Moor, but Boughey was far from discouraged given the length of her absence and the fact underfoot conditions were more testing than ideal.

Having been pleased with what he saw from his Classic winner in a racecourse gallop on the Rowley Mile on Tuesday, Boughey is not ruling out a trip across the Channel for a Group One assignment on Arc weekend – but will be keeping an eye on the weather before making a final call.

“I was pleased with Cachet this morning and she is a lot tighter than she was on her seasonal debut. Mathematically she is a lot fitter on the scales,” said the Newmarket handler.

“The plan had been to go to France for the Foret as she would have loved the seven furlongs around the bend there and there is a stronger favourite in the Sun Chariot (Inspiral) than the Foret.

“However, the weather looks like scuppering that so we will probably aim her at the Sun Chariot now.

“The ground was too soft for her at Doncaster and hopefully it will be much quicker at Newmarket. We know she stays the mile and she should run well.”

Another Boughey-trained filly to be put through her paces on the Rowley Mile on Tuesday was Soprano, who will be stepped up to Group One level in Saturday’s Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes.

Although winless since making an impressive start to her career at Newmarket in May, the daughter of Starspangledbanner has since been placed in the Albany at Royal Ascot, the Star Stakes at Sandown, the Sweet Solera at Newmarket and the Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury.

With regular work rider Charles Eddery in the saddle, Soprano looked the part in her morning gallop and Boughey feels she merits a place in the Cheveley Park field.

He said: “I’m delighted with her. She worked with a decent four-year-old that is a five-furlong horse rated in the 90s and she showed plenty of pace. 

“Charles Eddery, who rides her regularly, was delighted with her so it is all systems go to the Cheveley Park. She looks better than ever.

“She is a very balanced filly, which is so key at Newmarket, and she won on her debut at the track. I think she has got to have a lively chance.”



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Boughey favouring Prix de la Foret option with Cachet

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George Boughey is readying his Classic heroine Cachet for a tilt at the Prix de la Foret at ParisLongchamp this weekend following a pleasing workout on the Rowley Mile on Tuesday morning.

Last season’s 1000 Guineas heroine did not run between Royal Ascot last summer and this year’s St Leger Festival at Doncaster, an absence totalling exactly 15 months.

The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned filly could finish only fourth in the Group Three Sceptre Stakes on Town Moor, but Boughey was far from discouraged given the length of her absence and the fact underfoot conditions were more testing than ideal.

In the immediate aftermath of that effort the Newmarket handler was in favour of sending Cachet back to the scene of her Guineas triumph for the Sun Chariot Stakes on Saturday week, but the likelihood of a sound surface in Paris this weekend has prompted a change of plan.

“I was pleased with Cachet this morning and she is a lot tighter than she was on her seasonal debut. Mathematically she is a lot fitter on the scales,” said Boughey.

“The ground looks like it will be decent in France and that is where we are leaning towards at the moment, plus there is a stronger favourite in the Sun Chariot (Inspiral) than in the Foret.

“The ground was too soft for her at Doncaster, but it should be a lot better in France at the weekend. It could end up raining in Newmarket and I don’t want to miss a chance like this.

“She will like the seven furlongs around the bend at Longchamp and we will make plenty of use of her. She is in good form and should run well.”

Another Boughey-trained filly to be put through her paces on the Rowley Mile on Tuesday was Soprano, who will be stepped up to Group One level in Saturday’s Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes.

Although winless since making an impressive start to her career at Newmarket in May, the daughter of Starspangledbanner has since been placed in the Albany at Royal Ascot, the Star Stakes at Sandown, the Sweet Solera at Newmarket and the Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury.

With regular work rider Charles Eddery in the saddle, Soprano looked the part in her morning gallop and Boughey feels she merits a place in the Cheveley Park field.

He said: “I’m delighted with her. She worked with a decent four-year-old that is a five-furlong horse rated in the 90s and she showed plenty of pace. 

“Charles Eddery, who rides her regularly, was delighted with her so it is all systems go to the Cheveley Park. She looks better than ever.

“She is a very balanced filly, which is so key at Newmarket, and she won on her debut at the track. I think she has got to have a lively chance.”



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Newmarket date on Soprano’s agenda

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Soprano will bid to hit the right note at Newmarket later this month where she will attempt to register her first Group-race success.

George Boughey’s youngster was a fast-finishing third in Salisbury’s Dick Poole Stakes on her most recent run, but connections were left frustrated after their charge reared in the stalls and gave away plenty of ground at the start before storming home to be beaten just one and a quarter lengths in the hands of Ryan Moore.

She will now attempt to set the record straight in either the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes on September 29 or shoot for Group One gold in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes a day later on the Rowley Mile.

“It was just really unfortunate and such a shame,” explained Harry Herbert, managing director of owners Highclere Thoroughbreds.

“She seemed to anticipate the gates and they didn’t open and she sort of got a bit of a fright, went up and then the starter let them go which was infuriating.

“Ryan probably thought he was just going to come home in his own time and then suddenly realised he had an awful lot of horse under him, so it was a hell of a performance under the circumstances.

“I think everyone can see she would have won if she had broken on level terms.”

He went on: “We’re looking at either the Cheveley Park or Rockfel and I think we’ll see the entries for both first.

“At the moment, if you were talking to George, he would probably be edging more to the Cheveley Park. But we want to take our time and see who is doing what and the ground and everything.

“Fingers crossed she is taking her races so well and she’s so tough and as long as George is happy, we will go to Newmarket for one of those two races.”

Soprano burst onto the scene at Newmarket earlier in the season, but since being upped immediately in class for the Albany at Royal Ascot, she has been thwarted in four subsequent outings when running in Pattern company.

Soprano on her way to scoring at Newmarket on debut
Soprano on her way to scoring at Newmarket on debut (David Davies/PA)

Connections feel Soprano certainly does not lack talent and are confident there is plenty to look forward to with the versatile daughter of Starspangledbanner.

“She’s a very very good filly and very special,” continued Herbert.

“She’s had the most extraordinary year where things just haven’t gone right for her. She could have had a few Group races by her name, but that’s racing and sometimes the cards don’t fall quite right for whatever reason.

“Everyone can see how talented she is and she has a size and scope to her so should be even better next year.”

As well as Soprano, Highclere also have Believing housed at Boughey’s Saffron House stables and Herbert was thrilled with her third-placed effort in the Betfair Sprint Cup.

Supplemented into the Haydock Group One at a cost of £20,000, the daughter of Mehmas defied her odds of 66-1 to earn just shy of £46,000 for making the podium.

“She’s such a tough and talented filly and she had worked so well coming into this race and ran a blinder,” said Herbert.

“She showed incredible natural speed and finished her race off really well. Had she been a bit closer to the two in front of her who were racing away from her, who knows, she might have got closer still.”

Believing holds an entry for Ascot’s Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes on October 21 which will form the centrepiece of the filly’s end-of-season programme, but a tilt at ParisLongchamp’s Prix de l’Abbaye on October 1 will now also be considered – despite the progressive speedster again needing to be supplemented.

Believing has progressed throughout the season
Believing has progressed throughout the season (PA)

“Ascot would be the main target and we will look at the Abbaye,” continued Herbert.

“We would have to be forking out again because she’s come forward at such a rate of knots and we didn’t put her in initially. So we would consider supplementing and see how the land lies nearer the time before making a decision about the Abbaye.

“She’s a very, very good filly, a fast filly, and like her father, has this most incredible attitude for the game.

“The way she holds her head is extraordinary and reminds me so much of Mehmas, who stuck his neck out and was really tough. She’s definitely inherited that trait and is a really exciting filly for her shareholders.

“Those horses who give their all are worth their weight in gold. She goes on any ground, has a wagon load of speed and, touch wood, she’s been so far very sound. Everyone had a great day at Haydock and hopefully there is a lot more to come.”



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Soprano sets the standard in competitive Dick Poole

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Soprano gets another opportunity to break her Group-race duck in the Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury on Thursday.

An impressive winner on her introduction at Newmarket in early May, the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned filly has since been placed in the Albany at Royal Ascot in June, the Star Stakes at Sandown in July and the Sweet Solera on the July Course last month.

Having seen the George Boughey-trained daughter of Starspangledbanner knock on the door on a few occasions now, Highclere’s managing director Harry Herbert is hoping she can finally enjoy her day in the big-race sun in Wiltshire.

“She seems in great shape after Newmarket. She ran a very good race that day and was just beaten by a better filly (Fallen Angel) on the day,” said Herbert.

“She’s working very well and Ryan Moore can ride her so it’s all systems go.

“I think a stiff six furlongs will really suit her and she’s got a wonderful action the filly, so she should really lap up the ground.

“All these races are pretty hot, but we go there thinking that she’ll be pretty competitive.”

Miaharris puts her unbeaten record on the line for trainer Owen Burrows and jockey Oisin Murphy.

Miaharris (right) winning at Newbury
Miaharris (right) winning at Newbury (David Davies/PA)

Having supplemented her debut success at Sandown with a narrow victory in Listed company at Newbury last month, the Zoustar filly steps up to six furlongs as she goes in search of the hat-trick.

Burrows said: “We’re very happy with her and it looked as though she would appreciate the step up to six from her last run, so we’ll see.

“I wouldn’t mind to have been drawn in a little bit more, but it is what it is (stall 15).

“I’m not concerned about the ground really. She handled ground on the easy side of good at Newbury and it was similar at Sandown I think. It’s going to be a bit quicker at Salisbury, but I don’t have any worries about that.

“She’s always looked a talented filly. She was bought with Royal Ascot in mind, but as a typical breeze-up filly she just fell apart a bit and fair to play to the owner (Olly Harris) who has been very patient. Fingers crossed he’s going to reap the benefits now.”

Clive Cox saddles three runners in the Dick Poole at Salisbury
Clive Cox saddles three runners in the Dick Poole at Salisbury (John Walton/PA)

Clive Cox is triple-handed, with the well fancied Symbology joined by a pair of bigger priced stablemates in Onthemoneyhoney and Unbreak My Heart.

York maiden winner Symbology has since finished third in the Princess Margaret at Ascot and the Lowther Stakes at York, while Onthemoneyhoney faces a rise in grade following a debut win at Windsor.

Unbreak My Heart won a minor heat at Bath on her second start before finishing a distant third in the Listed Empress Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket.

Cox said: “I was really pleased with Symbology in the Lowther and I think she’s still progressing.

“It was a very pleasing effort at York and she’s come back well from there, hence the reason she’s turning out again on Thursday, and she’ll appreciate the dry conditions.

“Onthemoneyhoney won her only start and from a ratings perspective she’s got a lot to find, but she’s in excellent form and with the way the ground is I think she deserves a chance to run.

“Unbreak My Heart won on quick ground at Bath, they’re all in good order and a lack of alternative choices mean we’re going to give it a kick here.”



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Soprano tries seven furlongs again in Sweet Solera Stakes

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Soprano is given another chance to showcase her talents over seven furlongs in the Molson Coors Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

George Boughey’s youngster started off her career at the minimum distance and was in full voice on debut when impressing in a Rowley Mile maiden.

She was then upped to six furlongs for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and ran with real credit to finish third, a performance which signalled a step up to seven furlongs on soft ground for the Star Stakes at Sandown, where the daughter of Starspangledbanner again finished on the podium.

The filly is owned by Highclere Thoroughbreds for whom Boughey trained Cachet to win the 1000 Guineas and having been keen in the early stages before weakening inside the final furlong in her Esher outing, the Newmarket-based handler is eager to see how Soprano performs having blown away some of her freshness.

“She’s in good form and worked well with another filly of Highclere’s earlier this week,” said Boughey.

“She was a little bit weak late on at Sandown, having been a little bit fresh and gassy early doors.

“Her work has always suggested she’ll get the seven and she’s certainly worth another try at that trip on the right ground.”

Disputing favouritism with Soprano is Karl Burke’s Fallen Angel, who was a length ahead of the Boughey-trained contender when a silver medallist at Sandown, while Charlie Johnston’s course-and-distance winner Carolina Reaper represents the connections who landed this 12 months ago with Lakota Sioux.

Roger Varian’s Jabaara slightly disappointed at Royal Ascot but has always been held in high regard, while Charlie Appleby’s Wild Goddess showed real improvement when upped in distance to score decisively over track and trip late last month.

“Wild Goddess improved significantly from her debut at Haydock to win her novice stylishly, and we feel that she has come forward again since,” the Moulton Paddocks handler told Godolphin’s official website.

“Like most of the field, we are trying to establish our level for the season but we are hopeful she can be very competitive.”

Ed Walker’s Queen’s Reign also hit the target in good style over course and distance on her second appearance, with Richard Hughes’ Les Bleus another heading to the July Course on the back of a win at the venue when last sighted.

Jonathan Portman’s Cry Fiction completes the collection of eight fillies heading to post for this Group Three contest.



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