Sammy Jo Bell confirmed herself the queen of the Graham Lee Vickers.Bet Leger Legends race when landing the Doncaster race for a third time.
The jockey – who also enjoyed success in 2019 and 2022 – was an even more impressive victor as she has overcome an anterior cruciate ligament injury to partake.
As in previous years Bell was riding for her former boss Richard Fahey, who provided the seven-year-old gelding Hartswood for the contest.
Hartswood was a 10-1 chance with Terries Royale and Megan Nicholls were the 3-1 favourites, a status they looked worthy of after streaking to a significant lead some way from home.
It looked a forgone conclusion from there, but Terries Royale began to hang badly to the left, crossing the track until he reached the far rail and losing plenty of ground in the process.
Bell and Hartwood pounced on the opportunity and snatched victory by three-quarters of a length, securing a hat-trick of wins in the event for the retired Flat jockey.
“It’s amazing, and I suppose what makes it extra special for me is riding for Richard because he was a massive part of my career,” said Bell.
“I rang him a couple of weeks ago and he put a horse in for me, it’s amazing really just to be part of the whole day.
“It’s such a good cause, for Graham and the Injured Jockeys Fund. It is fantastic and it’s really special.
“I had no idea who had gone clear but I thought I wasn’t going to get to them, he kept plugging on so that was pretty good.
“It’s always an amazing thrill, nothing’s quite satisfied that, maybe I should quit now I’m ahead!”
The event – which also featured the likes of multiple Group One winner Gerald Mosse and Grand National-winning pilot David Mullins – was made particularly poignant by the attendance of Lee, after whom the race was named this year following the life-changing injuries he sustained in a fall last November.
Bell also understands the value of the Injury Jockeys Fund, for whom the race – the only one of its kind in Britain for ex-professional riders – raises valuable funds, as she has relied on its support when rehabilitating from the ACL rupture she suffered last spring.
She added: “In April last year I fell off, landed on my feet and it just snapped. But I did rehab at Jack Berry House and they were amazing.”
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Christophe Soumillon was full of praise for Sunway, who again ran creditably in defeat behind Jan Brueghel in the Betfred St Leger, having come close in the Irish Derby earlier in the season.
Deira Mile and Sunway were third and fourth past the post respectively, with a nose separating them.
However, Owen Burrows’ Deira Mile had given David Menuisier’s Sunway a hefty bump and their placings were reversed.
Soumillon, who was among those introduced to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the paddock before the race, said: “He ran really well, but when we were fighting it out inside the last 250 yards he got a big bump from the horse on his outside, which meant we lost third place on the line.
Jan Brueghel fends off Illinois (rail) with Sunway (noseband) and Deira Mile in behind (Mike Egerton/PA)
“He’s a very nice horse, he did everything perfect today and I’m very happy with the run. There’s a nice race in him.”
Menuisier, speaking before the reversal was confirmed, said: “He would have clearly finished third and I’d be amazed if we don’t get it.
“He ran another good race as usual, he just found a couple of better ones today.
“He could have done with a stronger pace but we have no excuses, he was third best today.
“I think he’ll run again this season as he’s had a little break, but I don’t know where yet.”
Trainer David Menuisier speaks to jockey Christophe Soumillon (Mike Egerton/PA).
Burrows had no complaints about Deira Mile being demoted from third, and expected to be so in the immediate aftermath.
“He’s run a good race and probably could have done with a stronger gallop, but unfortunately he gave Sunway a bump and I think we’ll lose third,” he said.
“With the blinkers on I was conscious I didn’t want him seeing loads of daylight, so Jason (Watson) dropped him in, but the way the race was run, it was an advantage to be closer to the pace.
“The race wasn’t run to suit. He travelled into it good, stayed the trip well, but they dictated the pace from the front.
“The owner is keen to have a crack at the Arc and why not, he likes a punt.
“He’s run a similar race to what Hukum did in this, but I don’t think he’s another Hukum, unfortunately!”
The Prime Minister’s appearance at the South Yorkshire course came after he returned from Washington DC where he discussed the crises in Ukraine and the Middle East with the US president.
Sir Keir Starmer watches the racing at Doncaster alongside his wife Victoria (Mike Egerton/PA)
Lady Starmer is a big horse racing fan and her mother lived in Doncaster.
Sir Keir said: “There aren’t many better days out than the races in the sunshine, so it’s a pleasure to be back in Doncaster for the historic St Leger this year.
“My wife has a close connection with the racecourse so the thrill of the St Leger is no stranger to us.”
Frenchman Menuisier, who is based in West Sussex, added: “I spoke to him before the race and I joked with him I didn’t have enough time to talk to him about Brexit.
“I told him that whenever he comes down south we can have a chat.
“It was a nice chat, but it was as interesting as it could get before a really big race.”
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Grosvenor Square was passed at the two-furlong pole, from where 11-4 joint-favourites Illinois and Jan Brueghel took control.
And it was Jan Brueghel, partnered by former Ballydoyle apprentice Sean Levey, who ultimately stayed on the strongest to get home by a neck and stretch his unbeaten record to four.
There was drama in terms of the minor honours, as Deira Mile went past the post in third and Sunway was fourth home, but those placings were reversed following a stewards’ inquiry.
Levey, who won the 1000 Guineas on Billesdon Brook in 2018 and this year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas with Rosallion, said: “You’ll take any Classic, any Classic at this stage. Another one on my belt.
“Absolute privilege to get the ride from Aidan and the team. He looks like a very nice horse, he gives me the impression he could be a Gold Cup horse next year maybe, but I’m sure they will find a nice place for him to go next.
Derrick Smith and Sean Levey with St Leger hero Jan Brueghel (Mike Egerton/PA).
“I think he’s just a baby, he’s only a young thing. He ran in snatches a little bit down the back, but I got what I needed from him.
“I thought he might stop if I challenged too early. I always knew I would head him (Illinois) when I needed to.”
Levey, who joined O’Brien as a 17-year-old before moving to England in 2011, added: “No doubt he (O’Brien) has been very good to me. I’ve got him a winner and he’s been happy to use me and give an opportunity like today.”
Co-owner Derrick Smith said: “It’s a great result for us and Illinois has lost nothing in defeat.
“I love this race and it has been a special race for me. We used to sponsor it with Ladbrokes, my son (Paul Smith) won it with Kingston Hill and I’ve seen my colours carried to victory several times with Capri, Kew Gardens, Continuous.
Jan Brueghel just edges out stablemate Illinois (Mike Egerton/PA).
“It means a lot to the Smith family this race, so I was always coming here today.
“I think if they’d gone quicker, Illinois might have done it, but I could see Seanie (Levey) was always going well.
“The winner is unbeaten and didn’t even run until May 25, it’s incredible. Sean said he’s still babyish and has a lot to learn.”
O’Brien was at Leopardstown, where he told Racing TV: “It was a great race and I’m delighted; the three of them ran great races.
“Jan Brueghel, after only having three runs, he was very babyish the last day but we thought he had come forward a lot. We knew it was going to be a big call to go and do it and he doesn’t do much (once he hits the front).
“Illinois also ran a great race and Sean Levey gave the winner a great ride. I’m delighted and it was a great run.”
Wayne Lordan had no excuses on Illinois, stating: “My lad galloped all the way to the line but the winner just kept going better.
“The winner is an improving colt but I couldn’t fault my lad.”
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Kinross showed all of his class to claim Betfred Park Stakes glory for the second time at Doncaster.
Ralph Beckett’s evergreen seven-year-old prevailed in this Group Two contest a couple of seasons ago before going on to land top-tier wins in the Prix de la Foret and the British Champions Sprint.
His form this term had been a bit below that level, but Rossa Ryan was always sitting comfortably on this occasion.
Kinross responded impressively when asked to kick on at the furlong pole and the result was never in doubt from there, with the 11-4 shot coming home two lengths clear of favourite Lead Artist.
He was subsequently cut from 7-1 to 4-1 for another British Champions Sprint success at Ascot by Paddy Power.
Beckett said: “What a horse he’s been and his owner Marc Chan is having a great day, as he’s had a Group Two winner in Ireland as well (Green Impact).
“I’m very proud to get him back. It hasn’t been easy, he had a small issue at the end of last year and we’ve had to tread carefully.
“I would have loved to have run him at York, as he loves it there, but the ground just got a bit quick. We knew we could get him back with everything on his side – and today everything was on his side.
Kinross ridden by Rossa Ryan wins the Betfred Park Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA).
“He’s a very, very good horse and to be still doing it at seven is unusual. I’m very proud of him.
“If the ground is right, he’ll go to Ascot (British Champions Sprint) and the Foret and maybe the Breeders’ Cup as well. If the ground is right, he’ll do both in October. He’ll dance every dance now, who knows if it is his last season.
“I couldn’t be confident he was as good as ever, as how can you be, but the signs were really good in the week, I was really enthused by the way he galloped.”
Runner-up Lead Artist was dropping back from a mile to seven furlongs and co-trainer John Gosden said: “It was sharp enough, but he ran a lovely race and Kinross, as we know, when he is on top form is imperious.”
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Bay City Roller dug deep to deny Monumental when winning the Betfred Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, with the Group Two contest marred by the unfortunate withdrawal of Chancellor.
John and Thady Gosden’s Chancellor had already secured maiden and novice victories on Town Moor, either side of a Listed-class third at Ascot, and was strongly fancied to oblige again in South Yorkshire.
However, he was forced to watch on from the sidelines after prematurely bursting open his stall and suffering a cut to his mouth, prompting an automatic defection.
In the race itself, 9-2 chance Bay City Roller powered to the front well over a furlong out and kept on gamely to make it three from three for George Scott and Callum Shepherd.
Aidan O’Brien’s Monumental threw down a late challenge but could never quite get to the winner and went down by half a length.
“It was a really pleasing run,” Scott said. “He’s a really genuine horse, that’s his best attribute.
“I wasn’t too worried about his margins that he had won by before. He just keeps stepping up and that’s what he’s done.
“I quite like the (Prix Jean-Luc) Lagardere for him. He’s very well-balanced and that track might really suit him a bit better than Newmarket. I’ll talk to (owner) Sheikh Nasser and see what he thinks.
Callum Shepherd and George Scott after winning the Betfred Champagne Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA).
“We know we will have to step up in the future, but he’s hit the line really good there hasn’t he, and he’s done everything he needed to do today. Stiffer tests await him, but we will see how he gets on.
“He hasn’t surprised me at all, I’ve been a bit obsessed with him, to be honest. I’ve stuck my neck out and asked Sheikh Nasser to buy the horse, he did that on my recommendation and I’m just relieved.
“I just think the race will suit him there (at ParisLongchamp), he’s a neat horse and won’t be inconvenienced by that turn. It’s definitely a race I will consider supplementing for.
“He could end up coming back here for the Futurity, he could easily end up coming back here. No doubt he will get another furlong.
“I think he will have two more runs this year, so we will see where we go, the timing might fit Lagardere and Futurity but we will see, it’s a nice problem to have.”
Robert Havlin, Chancellor’s rider, explained what happened in the stalls.
The jockey said: “He was really relaxed, he went down with the red hood on and stood in there (the stalls) good.
“What happened was, as the last horse was coming in, one of the other horses kicked the back of their gate and my lad just launched into the stalls, as if he thought it was time to jump.
“I tried to hang on to him, as he obviously burst the gates open, but he cut his mouth in doing it, so he wasn’t allowed to run.
“It’s a real shame as the race was set up perfectly for him.”
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Sweet William turned the tables on last year’s winner Trueshan to finally get his moment in the spotlight in the Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden and owned by Philippa Cooper, the five-year-old has always run with credit in the top staying events, but has regularly had to settle for minor honours.
Third to Kyprios at Ascot in the Gold Cup, before chasing home Aidan O’Brien’s star of the division in the Goodwood equivalent, he was sent off the 7-4 favourite to go one better on Town Moor.
Sweet William is up for the Doncaster Cup! 🏆
Rab Havlin’s charge quickens nicely, putting this Group 2 contest to bed for the Gosden team on Town Moor…
Although slowly away in the hands of his regular pilot Robert Havlin, he was never far away from the action as Trueshan shaded a narrow advantage up top from Sweet William’s stablemate Gregory.
It was Trueshan who led them into the straight and with Gregory coming under pressure, the eye was drawn to Sweet William edging into contention.
Sent on by Havlin with a furlong and a half to run, he showed a striking turn of foot to surge clear of Trueshan – who despite rallying and gaining ground on the idling Sweet William in the closing stages, still finished a length adrift of Clarehaven’s fourth winner of the Doncaster staying showpiece in second.
Havlin said: “I kicked on early enough, but he was travelling so well I just thought ‘I’m just going to go for it and see what happens’.
“We’ve been mucking about with him doing different things at home, letting him lead and stuff.
“We had a visor on him with these tiny slits and we’ve just made the slits a little bigger so he can see a little bit more. You just have to change things around and keep him interested.
“He seems to be getting better, but you mustn’t forget he had seven screws inserted in his leg when he was younger and you never know how that will affect them, mentally that can take its toll and with him there’s always a little seed in there that might say ‘not today, son’.
“He’s never been out of the first three in his whole life. You could say he might have finished closer in some races, even in this last year he ducked a bit to his left.
“I thought he quickened really well at the two today, nothing was going to take me any further. I love riding him, he’s a character and he deserved to win a race like this.”
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Aesterius turned the tables on his old rival Big Mojo to claim top honours in the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster.
Big Mojo was bidding to provide trainer Mick Appleby and owners Paul and Rachael Teasdale with back-to-back victories in the Group Two contest, following the success of the popular Big Evs 12 months ago, and battled his way to the front inside the last of five furlongs.
However, the Archie Watson-trained Aesterius (7-2), who had been pipped by Big Mojo in Goodwood’s Molecomb Stakes before landing a Group Three in France less than a fortnight ago, was produced with a late run by James Doyle in the Wathnan Racing silks and finished best to win the day by a neck.
Irish raider Magnum Force, the 11-4 favourite at the off following a luckless outing in the Roses Stakes at York last month, was best of the rest in third.
Doyle said: “He hasn’t done a lot wrong, I just felt I did a couple of things wrong in the Molecomb – I perhaps rode him too conservatively.
“When we went to France I was keen to make use of his speed and again today, I spoke to Archie beforehand and he said ‘let him get out and do his thing’.
“We raced pretty much by ourselves most of the way and he did have a look at the crowd when I put him under pressure, so that can only be a good sign.”
Watson has big plans for his young colt, with the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc weekend at ParisLongchamp and a trip to the Breeders’ Cup under consideration.
He said: “James said he’s still very babyish and he came off the bridle early enough today. He’s still looking at things beside him as he’s running down the track.
“He’s a very talented horse. He won the Prix d’Arenberg last time out and just 12 days later he has backed it up, which is the same double we did with Soldier’s Call (in 2018). He’s a very talented two-year-old and we’re very lucky to train him.
“I think next year is the time to explore six furlongs. The Breeders’ Cup will be his end-of-season target – it should really suit him. The question mark is do we have a crack at the Prix de l’Abbaye in the meantime? He’ll get 18lb off his elders and Soldier’s Call was only just beaten by Mabs Cross after winning this, so that will be discussed.
“It’s obviously going to be a trickier year next year for him so I often think it’s worth running them at two if you’re happy with them. He’ll either have two more runs this year or one.”
Mick Appleby is still eyeing a trip to the Breeders’ Cup with Big Mojo (Joe Giddens/PA)
Mick Appleby still intends to head to the Breeders’ Cup with Big Mojo, saying: “He’s run well. The ground has probably just gone a little softer than he’d like, but he’s run well.
“He maybe just hit the front a bit too soon, he maybe just needs holding on to a bit longer as when he hits the front he thinks he’s done enough.
“It was another great run, we’re happy with that and the plan is to still head for the Breeders’ Cup.”
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Benevento finished with gusto to provide fledgling trainer Raphael Freire with the biggest winner of his career to date in the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster.
A field of seven juveniles went to post for this Listed contest, with much of the pre-race focus on the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Jonquil, who had created a big impression when overcoming interference to make a successful debut at Sandown a fortnight ago.
However, supporters of the 7-4 favourite will have been concerned from an early stage, with Ryan Moore was one of the first at work and in the end he trailed home a disappointing last but one.
Benevento, who made a winning start at Yarmouth before finishing second to Soldier’s Heart in the Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy, was a 7-1 shot to provide Lambourn-based Brazilian Freire with his fourth and most notable winner of the season in the Amo Racing silks.
After taking a lead off Mr Chaplin for much of the seven-furlong contest, the Wootton Bassett colt was sent in pursuit of Symbol Of Honour entering the final furlong and eventually wore him down, with half a length the winning margin.
“I’m delighted. I expected him to take a big step forward from Ripon,” said Freire.
“They are so unexposed these horses, you never know what you are really up against, but I certainly expected him to run a good race.”
Benevento gets the better of Symbol Of Honour (Mike Egerton/PA)
He added: “It looked like he needed to step up in trip when he finished second last time and I expected Doncaster to suit him better than Ripon as there are less undulations. It’s a nice, flat track which enabled him to travel easy and finish his race.
“I just thought last time the winner looked quite good, it was fast ground and he was never close enough to challenge, today he could travel handy and finish strong.
“I don’t know if he’ll run again, we’ll all discuss it. I think he’ll get a mile, but whether he needs to this season, I’m not so sure.”
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Aidan O’Brien holds all the aces as Illinois, Jan Brueghel and Grosvenor Square bid to give him an eighth victory in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster.
Successful with Continuous 12 months ago, the master of Ballydoyle has taken home the trophy for the world’s oldest Classic three times in the last 10 years.
Illinois is attempting to do what Leading Light (2013) and Kew Gardens (2018) have done in the past and follow up victory in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot with Classic glory on Town Moor.
Last seen finishing a neck second to stablemate Los Angeles at York, he will be partnered by Wayne Lordan – who having twice won the 1000 Guineas on a Ballydoyle second string, now gets first pick with Ryan Moore required at Leopardstown.
O’Brien told the sponsors: “We’re very happy with him. We always thought he’d stay, he won at Ascot over a mile and six and he ran very well in the Voltigeur which we felt was a lovely trial for him.
“Wayne rode him that day and was very happy with him. Nice ground is important to him, he’s closely related to an Arc winner (Danedream) so he has a lot of class, we think and hope the Leger will suit him well. We would have run him in the Derby, but City Of Troy was there. We’ve had the Leger in mind for a long time for him.”
Another rider picking up a big-race opportunity for O’Brien is Sean Levey who spent his formative years based with the Tipperary handler and has excelled this season for his primary boss Richard Hannon aboard Rosallion.
He has already steered Lake Victoria to Group-level success for Ballydoyle this season and now partners the unbeaten Jan Brueghel, who showed plenty of fight to grind out victory over Andrew Balding’s Nashville Derby hero Bellum Justum at Goodwood last month.
Jan Brueghel (left) winning the John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)
O’Brien said: “He was very green the last day at Goodwood when the track didn’t really suit him, which can happen, but he got the trip well despite being the first off the bridle.
“We think he has improved a good bit since Goodwood. The form has worked out, it was a tough race for him but he dealt with it and was on top at the line. A long straight will suit him.”
The final piece of the O’Brien jigsaw is Grosvenor Square, an emphatic winner of the Irish St Leger Trial, and with stamina assured, he could attempt to put his rivals to the sword from the front.
“He could be very different, a difficult horse to deal with if you are riding against him,” added O’Brien.
“If you let him go he might not come back and if you let him go he might kill you. He’s unbelievable, he has an awful lot of stamina, a very high cruising speed and very genuine. He’s a very rare horse and I think he’s very exciting for people to watch.
“He will make the Leger a very tough race, I think people will want to watch him from everywhere because he wears his heart on his sleeve. We always felt making the running would suit him but he was too weak to do it earlier in the season.”
The sole filly in the field is also the only Classic winner heading to post, as Ralph Beckett’s Irish Oaks heroine You Got To Me lines up against the colts having been supplemented at a cost of £50,000.
It was ironically her effort when narrowly beaten in the Yorkshire Oaks that convinced connections to consider this contest and with her handler happy with both conditions in South Yorkshire and the filly’s well-being, the decision was made to roll the dice.
You Got To Me (left) winning the Irish Oaks (Niall Carson/PA)
“All things considered it seemed the right move and it was all to down to the filly’s well-being really. Ralph gave that the thumbs up just before supplementation time,” said Alex Elliott, racing adviser to Valmont, who own the filly in partnership with Newsells Park Stud.
“We go there with solid chance of hitting the board I think and if she could be placed or better in another Classic then all power to her.
“After the Curragh, Hector (Crouch, jockey) and Ralph felt they had a good handle on her moving forward and it looked that way at York. It was just about a career best at York.
“She’s had quite a long year, but if Ralph is happy and thinks she’s happy then we’re all for having a go. Hopefully the ground will hold and we’re all really looking forward to it.”
Deira Mile in action in the Derby (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Deira Mile was fourth behind City Of Troy in the Derby, but Owen Burrows has always felt staying would be his forte and the son of Camelot now has the chance to prove his handler right.
“There’s only five Classics each year, so they’re hard to win. I was fifth in the Guineas and fourth in the Derby, so hopefully we can go a few places better on Saturday,” said Burrows.
“It’s always good to have a runner in a Classic and if he could reproduce his fourth in the Derby then I think he will have an each-way chance.
“Staying looked his strong point in the Derby and he had to make plenty of ground up so I think the move up in trip will suit him.
Trainer Owen Burrows is dreaming of Classic glory (Mike Egerton/PA)
“It was a messy race at Windsor and only over a mile, three and a half. So I’m hoping this trip will suit him more. It wasn’t the end of the world to get beat and he has taken a nice step forward at home.
“It would have been a long wait to not run from the Derby and the Leger and he would have had to go and have a racecourse gallop somewhere, so I’m much happier to have got a run under his belt. Fingers crossed that has done the job and we go there with a nice each-way shout I hope.”
It would be fitting in the week Burrows’ mentor Sir Michael Stoute announced his impending retirement if he could follow in his footsteps and lift the St Leger trophy aloft.
Burrows added: “I was working for Sir Michael when he won it with Conduit. The only thing is it took him about 20 attempts to win it, so I hope it doesn’t take me that many! That was a good day and if we could get our name on the trophy it’d be great.”
David Menuisier will saddle Sunway in the St Leger (Simon Marper/PA)
Also bidding to honour their former boss is David Menuisier who spent time with John Dunlop before forging his own successful training career and after a year of near misses in the top contests, will saddle Sunway.
Speaking before this British Champions Series race, he said: “It would mean the world to me to win a Classic, and especially the St Leger, as it’s the oldest Classic and is the representation of what I really love – those nice, middle-distance staying races. Also it’s a race my old boss John Dunlop won a few times, with Moon Madness, Silver Patriarch and Millenary.
“I’m trying not to think about it. We try not to get ahead of ourselves, as we’ve burned our fingers before and it will be hard to win, with Aidan sending some proper horses, and a filly (You Got To Me) who could be good too, but it’s a challenge we are keen to grasp.
“He’s had a mini break (since Ascot) and a bit of a chance to grow into himself, and I’d like to think he’s in the best possible shape. I think if anything the extra distance could be a plus, although he’s not really bred for it.”
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Rossa Ryan has already played a part in Kinross’ journey to stardom and hopes Ralph Beckett’s stalwart can continue being a “legend” when he bids for a second Betfred Park Stakes at Doncaster.
The 24-year-old partnered the evergreen seven-year-old to victory in the Lennox Stakes in 2021, but had not ridden again on the racecourse until this season, as Kinross and Frankie Dettori claimed multiple big-race victories prior to the Italian’s relocation to America.
Ryan has reacquainted himself with the son of Kingman the last twice, and now hopes to add to that Goodwood triumph of three years ago.
Kinross winning the Lennox Stakes with Rossa Ryan on board in 2021 (John Walton/PA)
After skipping the City of York Stakes last month, hopes are high for a strong performance in a race he won on Town Moor in 2022.
“He’s going well and looks great,” said Ryan.
“He was a legend for me and the first Lennox he won, I was on him, and that was the start of a great career for him.
“He’s helped me and I’ve helped him and hopefully we can continue that.”
John and Thady Gosden’s Lead Artist has shown notable ability in his four outings so far and the Thoroughbred Stakes scorer is another seeking to make up for lost ground having sat on the sidelines since Glorious Goodwood.
Lead Artist impressed at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)
“He’s in good form, he’s missed a couple of engagements due to soft ground but he’s a nice colt and we think he’s going the right way,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.
“The drop back to seven furlongs here will be fine, that won’t be an issue. He’s a horse either later this year or next year we hope could climb the ladder to the highest grade.”
Andrew Balding claimed this prize 12 months ago and saddles both Goldene Peitsche winner Al Shaqab Storm and Vetiver, while Karl Burke is represented by course and distance winner Poet Master who was last seen impressing in Ireland in the Minstrel Stakes.
Richard Hannon’s Shouldvebeenaring and Marco Botti’s Fred Darling winner Folgaria are other notable names, with Charlie Hills’ Pogo and Ed Walker’s Popmaster completing the nine-strong field after the withdrawal of Lake Forest.
It had been hoped the William Haggas-trained runner could set up a big-race tilt in Australia with a first try at seven furlongs, but the Somerville Lodge handler has deemed the ground unsuitable.
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Chancellor is aiming to make it three out of three at Doncaster in the Betfred Champagne Stakes on Saturday.
John and Thady Gosden’s juvenile has only met with one defeat, when running too free at Ascot in a Listed race, form which has been subsequently franked.
To get back on track he dropped into calmer waters back on Town Moor, where he had made a winning debut in July, easily beating Brave Mission, who has come out and won since.
“Obviously I’m really looking forward to riding him again as his last two races the form has worked out great,” said his regular rider Robert Havlin.
“It was possibly a step too far, too soon on his second run, but dropped back into a novice last time he won and the second came out and bolted up last week.
“He seems to have taken a step forward since his run and I’m really looking forward to it. The only possible downside is he wouldn’t want the ground too quick.
“The two who beat him at Ascot are both racing in Canada this weekend, so you can only take positives from his form. He’s a class horse and he’s got ability. I rode him Thursday morning and he seems to have stepped forward again.”
Chancellor is by Frankel out of the Cheveley Park Stud Breeders’ Cup winner Queen’s Trust, and their manager director Chris Richardson said: “He likes Doncaster so it makes sense to go back there.
“We will learn a bit more about him, sadly Ascot it didn’t quite happen for him, the saddling enclosure and the fact he was right in the mix of things slightly overwhelmed him.
“This has always been the plan for him.”
Righthere Rightnow created a very favourable impression when winning on his Newmarket debut by five lengths for Richard Spencer.
“He’s in good form and I think he has taken a step forward from his debut win and hopefully he can run well,” said Spencer.
BOOM!!! RIGHTHERE RIGHTNOW was impressive on debut in the 18:35 @NewmarketRace under the expert Rab Havlin for the team of @Richspencer89 & @Philcun69 – another exciting prospect for team Rebel. Huge thanks to the team for all their hard work! pic.twitter.com/ANpOQHgrGL
“He’s got a great mind and everything he has done at home has pleased us. We thought he could run a big race at Newmarket on debut, but most of ours would go away for a racecourse gallop before they step on the racecourse proper and he hadn’t had that experience.
“We knew whatever he did on the day he would improve on as it was his first day at school and to do what he did was really pleasing for us knowing there would be improvement to come.
“It’s going to be a warm contest, but hopefully he can run well and fingers crossed we get a bit of luck.”
George Scott’s Bay City Roller is unbeaten in two outings, looking a smart prospect.
Trainer George Scott has a nice prospect in Bay City Roller (David Davies/PA)
“We were keen to get a little bit more experience into him before he stepped into this company which he got at Chelmsford and we’re also pleased to see a little bit of rain we’ve had at the start of the week,” said Scott.
“I’ve been very happy with the way he has been training, he deserves his shot in a race like this. It will probably be a little bit tactical, but he’s very uncomplicated and I will leave it up to Callum (Shepherd) on the day. I’m really looking forward to seeing how he gets on.
“We’ve liked him ever since he started in faster work and even though Saturday is a big day for him, I have every confidence he is going to be a nice horse moving forwards.”
Aidan O’Brien runs two, Aftermath and Monumental, with Hugo Palmer’s Vintage Stakes runner-up Wolf Of Badenoch another with strong claims.
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The unexposed Nakheel took full advantage of her weight allowance to hold off the consistent Night Sparkle in the Betfred Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster.
Trained by Owen Burrows, the three-year-old was still a maiden when the season started and has been steadily improving in Pattern company since.
She finished a four-length third to Scenic in the Galtres Stakes at York’s Ebor meeting, but looked much more at home stepping up another two furlongs in trip.
Jim Crowley chose to make his challenge down the inside, which had been shunned in the previous race, but it did not make a difference.
Superb from Nakheel!@JimCrowley1978’s charge finds enough to fend off Night Sparkle and grab the Betfred Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes at @DoncasterRaces!
Ryan Moore briefly looked to be holding all the aces on Grateful after Sumo Sam, last year’s winner, began to backpedal, but when stamina was at a premium, Grateful was found wanting.
Nakheel (10-1), sporting first-time cheekpieces, made her bid for home and had enough in the locker to hold off Night Sparkle by a length and a half.
Burrows said: “Watching her at York last time, we thought the trip would help, certainly a bit of ease in the ground would help and I think the cheekpieces have helped a bit as well.
“She’s not ungenuine by a long way, but they just helped her travel a bit further and sharpened her up.
“She’s been coming up through Listed races and getting placed, we thought this would be an obvious spot for her and it’s worked out great.
“She came off the bridle a fraction turning in but she came straight back on, so I knew then we still had plenty of petrol in the tank and I thought she would certainly stay on right to the line.
“We haven’t got any fancy entries, but she’s progressing nicely and we’ll speak to Sheikh Ahmed about where we go from here.
“From a trainer’s point of view, I’d love to have her back as a four-year-old, in which case I’m not sure we need to do anything else this year.
“We’re getting to know her and she’s still lightly-raced, so we’ll see.”
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Desert Flower justified even money favouritism and maintained her unbeaten record when finishing powerfully to win the Betfred May Hill Stakes at Doncaster.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, the Night Of Thunder filly had won two races at Newmarket before stepping into Group Two company.
She briefly looked in a spot of bother two furlongs out as Ollie Sangster’s Flight cruised into the lead still hard on the bridle, while William Buick was getting lower in the saddle on the market leader.
Desert Flower changed gear soon after, however, and she ended up stamping her class on the race.
She went on to win by a length and a half from Aidan O’Brien’s January, with Flight fading back into third.
A peach of a ride from @WilliamBuickX on @godolphin’s unbeaten Desert Flower, to win the Betfred May Hill Stakes (Group 2) 🚀
Coral cut the winner to 12-1 from 16s for next season’s 1000 Guineas, while Paddy Power make her 4-1 from 6-1 for the Fillies’ Mile.
Buick said: “That was very pleasing. Obviously she’s done everything right so far and you look at her and she’s a nice, big filly with plenty of scope for next year.
“I was always happy and she handled the ground. She just had a look when she got to the front, which you can always excuse on an inexperienced two-year-old. I was delighted with her.
“She came into the race very easily, which is the sign of a quality horse obviously, and she kind of confirmed what she showed us at home and on the racecourse on her first two starts.”
Appleby’s assistant Alex Merriam said: “We’ll take that, Will was very pleased with her. She travelled very nicely through the race and was professional. She had a little look when she hit the front, but she’s seen it out well and we couldn’t ask for any more really.
Desert Flower pulled away to win nicely (Mike Egerton/PA)
“Will said he didn’t think the ground matters too much either way. I don’t think it’s too soft out there, but she handles different sorts of ground and fingers crossed we can go to the Fillies’ Mile now.
“She showed that turn of foot at Newmarket, but in maiden and novice races, so you never know quite what you’ve got or what you’ve beaten until you take in the good races, but she’s done it nicely and deserves a shot at a Group One now.
“She’s not a flashy work horse, she’s always done everything nicely but she wouldn’t set the world alight at home. That can be the way sometimes.
“We’ll go for the Fillies’ Mile and see where we go from there, but she’s a big, scopey filly, so hopefully all she’s going to do is improve.
“I’d say she’s our best two-year-old filly anyway.”
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Hallasan continued his upward trajectory by claiming a lucrative success in the Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes at Doncaster.
Charlie Appleby’s youngster was a beaten favourite on his first three starts, but was placed on each occasion and rewarded those who kept the faith when opening his account in some style at Nottingham in July.
The gelded son of Pinatubo was a 15-2 shot on his return from a mid-season break and quickened up smartly to grab the lead inside the final two furlongs under a positive ride from William Buick.
Ryan Moore produced 11-4 favourite Camille Pissarro with what looked like a winning run shortly afterwards but try as he might, he could never quite get on terms with Hallasan, who the judge confirmed had clung on by a nose after the pair flashed by the post almost as one.
“He dug really deep. He’s sort of been in front a long time, but he kept responding and I’m delighted with him,” Buick said of the winner.
“He’s a horse who showed plenty of ability early on and he might just be fulfilling it now.
“He may get seven (furlongs), although he is a sharp horse. It’s a lovely race to win, he hadn’t run for a while before today, so he’s obviously improving at the right time of year.”
Robert Havlin is confident that Sweet William has all the ability needed to bag himself a major staying prize and it may well come in Friday’s Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old has never been out of the first three in 13 career outings, but he has only won four of them.
His most recent success came at Sandown in the Henry II Stakes and since then he has been placed twice behind Kyprios in the Gold Cup at Ascot and at Goodwood.
With Aidan O’Brien keeping Kyprios at home this weekend, Sweet William has a favourite’s chance.
“He’s getting more straightforward to ride but he is getting more on the lazy side, so he requires plenty of pushing and kicking, whereas he used to travel round on the bridle,” said Havlin.
“He’s better over these sorts of trips (two and a quarter miles) and I felt he was a bit unlucky in the race last year. Trueshan ended up going down the middle of the track on his own and we stayed with the pack. I thought I had a good chance of beating Trueshan that day.
“We’ve finished in front of Trueshan every other time since then, so I’m definitely looking forward to it. He seems in great form at home.
“He’s unlucky that Kyprios is around but this is the first time this season he’s not up against us in a big race, so we’ve avoided him. While he’s not straightforward, he does have tonnes of ability.
“He’s going to win a big one sooner or later, he’s definitely got the ability, it’s just about things falling right.”
Trueshan and Hollie Doyle are a popular combination (Steven Paston/PA)
Trueshan famously needs give in the ground to show his best form, so Alan King was over the moon to see five millimetres of rain fall on Wednesday evening before the meeting began.
Last year’s winner might not be quite the force of old but he did win at Sandown in July and he was fourth in the Goodwood Cup last time out.
King said: “Trueshan had a little break after Goodwood and appears to be back in good shape. I have been happy with his preparation. I hope the ground does not dry out further.”
Also representing the Gosdens is Gregory, who split Sweet William and Trueshan at Goodwood and went on to be a three-length third to Vauban at York.
“I thought he ran really well last time and I think the extra distance here will help. He has probably only got one pace and it’s a good pace, but I think the extra couple of furlongs will make the difference,” said Richard Brown, bloodstock adviser to owners Wathnan Racing.
“He’s tough and he’s such a likeable horse who gives his all. He’s a big horse and I know he’s four, but I still think he will be better next year because he’s a big boy and a lovely horse who always tries and runs his race.
“His stablemate will be a tough nut to crack and Point Lonsdale is an interesting runner and it’s a very good race with the likes of Trueshan in there as well, so we’re looking forward to seeing him run.”
O’Brien runs Point Lonsdale, with Andrew Balding’s Coltrane and Adam Nicol’s Wise Eagle completing the field.
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