Tag Archive for: York

Jim Crowley and Trevor Whelan taken to hospital following York fall

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Racing at York was marred on Sunday by a nasty incident in the feature Sky Bet Starman Garrowby Stakes, with both Jim Crowley and Trevor Whelan taken to hospital with suspected lower-leg injuries.

Crowley was riding the William Haggas-trained big-race favourite Almeraq in the colours of his retainer Shadwell when, short of room just over a furlong out, he clipped heels and came down.

The horse rolled over Crowley but Henry Candy’s Tiger Bay following behind had nowhere to go and was brought down, also sending Whelan into the turf.

Miraculously both horses escaped largely unscathed but Crowley and Whelan were treated on the track for some time before being taken to Leeds General Infirmary. Both jockeys were reportedly conscious and talking.

The race was won by Elmonjed, a stablemate of Almeraq, who was ridden by Cieren Fallon and escaped the trouble in running to score at 5-1.

William Derby, clerk of the course and chief executive at York, said: “Both jockeys were conscious and talking.

“The assessment that I’ve got, although they will need further assessment, is that they have lower limb injuries. Trevor Whelan to his ankle and Jim Crowley to his lower leg. That’s the information I have at this stage.

“Both horses are back in the stables and  largely OK with a few bruises.”

Paris or Ascot assignments will come into view for Estrange

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Estrange will set her sights on one of two big autumn Group One prizes after her second-placed run in the Yorkshire Oaks last week.

The four-year-old began her season with a Group Three win at Listed level at Haydock, after which she returned to the same track to take the Group Two Lancashire Oaks.

She continued to progress up the levels on the Knavesmire, facing a stiff task carrying a penalty for her age and facing dual Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk on ground quicker than ideal.

Estrange after finishing second in the Yorkshire Oaks
Estrange after finishing second in the Yorkshire Oaks (Ashley Iveson/PA)

While the latter was ultimately a convincing winner, Estrange was a long way from being disgraced when beaten three and a half lengths for trainer David O’Meara under Danny Tudhope.

“She did very well, we thought she ran a blinder,” said Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud.

“We were in two minds as to whether or not to run because of the ground, but it was only a four-runner race and a Group One at a premier track.

“We wanted to run if we could, I think the public wanted to see her and the racecourse wanted her to run.

“The ground wasn’t ideal, I’d have loved that shower of rain that I imagined was going to happen, but she ran very well and it’s no disgrace to be beaten giving 9lb to a dual Classic winner and probably the best three-year-old filly around.”

Both the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe are under consideration for the grey’s next outing, as is the prospect of her delaying her broodmare career and returning to training next season.

Estrange after winning on the final day of the season at Doncaster last year
Estrange after winning on the final day of the season at Doncaster last year (Nick Robson/PA)

Richardson said: “We could go straight for the Arc now or we could go to Ascot, I don’t think she’ll have a run in between, it just depends on what happens with the ground. But it has got to rain at some point, so hopefully we can get some soft ground in autumn.

“She’s given us a great deal of pleasure already and we will see how things unravel during the rest of the year, Mrs Thompson hasn’t decided whether she will be retiring at the end of the season or possibly staying in training next year.

“They are a long time in the paddock when they go off to have babies, and she missed out on her two-year-old year so perhaps she could keep going in 2026.”

Carmers all set for Doncaster as 15 remain in final Classic

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Paddy Twomey’s Carmers will turn his attention to the Betfred St Leger after his fine run to finish second in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.

The Wootton Bassett colt arrived on the Knavesmire unbeaten in three runs, with a maiden and a Listed win followed by victory in the Queen’s Vase at the Royal meeting in June.

Stepping down to a mile and half for the first time in a field that included the dual Derby winner Lambourn with a penalty for his Ascot win, he did connections proud when beaten only a length, setting himself up nicely for a return to a longer trip in the Group One St Leger at Doncaster in mid September.

“We were very happy with him at York last week, finishing second in the Great Voltigeur on his first time dropping in trip to a mile and a half,” said Twomey.

“He travelled through the race well and hit the line strong, I thought it was a very good trial for the St Leger at Doncaster in a few weeks.

“On numbers it looked his best run to date, he’s a progressive horse and I think stepping back to a mile and six at Doncaster will really suit him.”

Carmers is one of 15 remaining in the hunt for Classic honours on Town Moor after the latest entry stage, with Aidan O’Brien responsible for over half of those to stand their ground.

Goodwood Cup hero and red-hot favourite Scandinavia heads Ballydoyle’s eight possibles, with dual Derby hero Lambourn also still in the mix along with Stay True after both finished behind Twomey’s Classic hope on the Knavesmire.

Surprisingly Minnie Hauk also remains in the Leger picture despite O’Brien’s suggestion she had alternative big-race alternatives, but stablemate Whirl is one of the more notable scratchings.

With Twomey and Joseph O’Brien’s Derby third Tennessee Stud making it 10 Irish challengers in total at this stage, it is left to Lazy Griff to lead a five-strong home defence made up from just four trainers.

Joining Middleham Park Racing’s dual Classic-placed contender among the potential runners is William Haggas’ Great Voltigeur third Arabian Force, Andrew Balding’s pair of Furthur and Melrose scorer Tarriance and Roger Varian’s Rahiebb.

Daryz defeat has left connections with decisions to make

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Connections of Daryz are heading “back to the drawing board” after the previously unbeaten colt failed to fire in the Juddmonte International at York.

Having impressed in winning each of his four starts in France, Francis-Henri Graffard’s three-year-old headed for the Knavesmire in a bid to go one better than his stablemate Calandagan managed 12 months ago when second to City Of Troy.

But after racing keenly in a race that was blown apart by the pacesetting 150-1 shot Birr Castle, the son of Sea The Stars weakened late on and passed the post last of six runners behind the decisive winner Ombudsman.

Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan’s French studs, said: “Obviously it was a very strange race and I don’t think that really helped him because he was the least exposed and possibly the most immature horse in the field.

“We were all so happy there was a pacemaker in there and thought it was going to be a truly-run race and then that happened, but take nothing away from the winner – he did win fair and square and that’s a sign of a proper Group One horse when they can adapt to races panning out in different scenarios.

“We came out of it thinking if we’d run Calandagan he’d have been fine as he never pulls and those seasoned Group One horses know how to cope, but Daryz isn’t there yet – he’s still a bit of a baby.

“He took a little bit of a hold as they weren’t actually travelling very fast. He did kind of flatter halfway up the home straight and we thought he was going to run a big race, but then fell in a bit of a heap because I think he’d maybe done a bit too much early on.

“I just think his immaturity caught him out really. We hope he’ll have learned from it and we’ll learn from it too. He’s come out of the race fine as far as I’m aware, it was just a bit frustrating as we didn’t really learn very much.”

Connections of Daryz had been eyeing a possible tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but with opportunities for him to run again between now and Europe’s premier middle-distance contest limited, plans are up in the air.

“He certainly wouldn’t go straight to the Arc off that run, so we’re slightly scratching our heads regarding what to do with him,” Routh added.

“The Prix Niel will come too quickly, I don’t think we can even consider that, but the other option is the Prix du Prince d’Orange (September 14) and we thought we might run Calandagan in that, so we’ve really just got to sit down and figure it all out and decide what we’re going to do.

“We were thinking of that race to prepare Calandagan for the Champion Stakes at Ascot, but we need to figure out whether we want to take a look at the Arc with Daryz or not as if he is going to take a look at the Arc, we need to run him again to prove that’s where he should go.

“We’re slightly back to the drawing board and we’ll make a decision in the next week or so.”

York Eyecatcher Skukuza can make Group race mark

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Ed Dunlop’s Skukuza proved he is up to winning a Group race when a fast-finishing third in the Strensall Stakes at York.

Twice a winner in Ireland earlier this season when searching for softer ground, he had disappointed at Goodwood in conditions that were expected to suit.

He was very keen on the way to post under Ryan Moore and the jockey chose to give up a good draw to get him dropped in for some cover, which meant he was further back than ideal, but he flew home to be beaten a neck and a head, suggesting 10 furlongs will be well within his reach.

Richard Hannon ‘disappointed’ by Rosallion defeat

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Richard Hannon offered no immediate excuse after his stable star Rosallion could finish only fourth in the City of York Stakes.

The four-year-old was rerouted to the York Group One after a bruised foot scuppered his planned run in last Sunday’s Prix Jacques le Marois over a mile at Deauville.

Last season’s Irish Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner was dropping back to seven furlongs on the Knavesmire, having finished a creditable third in the Lockinge on his seasonal bow before being narrowly beaten in both the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Sean Levey never looked confident at any stage aboard the evens favourite though, keeping on to take fourth, beaten half a length and two heads behind Never So Brave, with his Sussex conqueror Qirat behind him in fifth.

Hannon said: “Sean said he was never really travelling like he normally does, but he’s not disgraced himself.

“I don’t think the draw (11) helped but he just didn’t travel into the race like we expected.

“I’m disappointed, obviously, I thought he’d win, but he’s a long way from disgracing himself.”

When asked whether the minor setback which ruled him out of a planned trip to France last weekend had played any part, the trainer added: “It’s got nothing to do with his foot, he was perfectly sound and healthy coming into it.

“In fairness to him, he knuckled down under pressure and tried his best but he didn’t win.

“There’s loads of options for him, all over the world, but I’m disappointed today.

“It’s an occupational hazard unfortunately, you learn to deal with it.”

William Haggas’ Lake Forest flashed home to finish second and the handler said his Golden Eagle winner would “probably” return to Australia again.

Ethical Diamond sparkles with decisive Ebor strike

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Ethical Diamond provided all-conquering trainer Willie Mullins with a third victory in the Sky Bet Ebor at York.

Although better known for his exploits under National Hunt rules, the Closutton handler had previously landed Britain’s richest Flat handicap with Sesenta in 2009 and Absurde in 2023 and fired a three-pronged assault at this year’s renewal.

Ethical Diamond, who was last seen striking Royal Ascot gold in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, was a well backed 5-1 favourite for the £500,000 feature under William Buick, who appeared keen to play his cards as late as possible aboard a horse who has been known to race enthusiastically.

But after again travelling powerfully in the middle of the pack as the field turned for home, the five-year-old got a dream run against the stands’ rail when being delivered with his challenge and picked up well to run out an emphatic two-and-a-half-length winner over Ascending, with Queenstown in third.

Mullins said: “William said he was a copybook ride. He popped off, settled and did everything he wanted him to do.

“He said once he let him go, he quickened up well.

“He won’t go to (the) Melbourne (Cup) as he won’t pass the vets down there in Australia, so we wiped that off straight away. He’s got a screw in his leg from an old injury and that is a straight no-no from them.

“That’s fine, those are the rules and at least we know now and not when they let us get all the way down there.

“I don’t know if he’s an Irish Cesarewitch horse or we let him run in an Irish Leger, we’ll have to see but I’d definitely like to move him up in grade to a Group Two or a Group Three at some stage.”

William Buick celebrates winning the Sky Bet Ebor on Ethical Diamond
William Buick celebrates winning the Sky Bet Ebor on Ethical Diamond (Richard Sellers/PA)

He went on: “We’ve just been trying to find the right tactics that suit him but it’s taken me 18 months to do that and now he’s won at Royal Ascot and the Ebor.

“Now that we have a way to ride him, he’d probably win a nice race over hurdles, I think tactics have been the making of him.”

Of landing a major summer prize, Mullins added: “Winning races on the Flat like this gives me exactly the same buzz as winning big races over jumps, for sure. To come here and win races like this, it’s why you do the game.”

Buick said: “He won the Duke of Edinburgh so well and any time Willie asks you to ride a horse, you’re grateful for the call-up – they don’t come over for the fun of it.

“I had a good trip from a wide draw. We were never going to fight to get in or do anything spectacular, we accepted it. Willie just said stay out there and let him get in his rhythm and if you get a tail to follow then great.

“I was comfortable throughout the whole race really and he’s got that killer turn of foot which set him apart from the others today.”

It was a one-two-three for Ireland with Henry de Bromhead training the runner-up Ascending and Aidan O’Brien saddling third-placed Queenstown.

De Bromhead said of his runner: “I’d say he just lacked a bit of speed late on, I thought he’d quicken a bit better.

“Seamie gave him a super ride and I thought we were going better than anything but the other lad quickened past him.

“He gave me my first Ascot winner, we’re delighted to be here, we’ve had a really good day and he’s ran an absolute belter.”

Never So Brave hits Group One target in City of York

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Never So Brave successfully graduated to the highest level in a pulsating renewal of the Sky Bet City of York Stakes, with hot favourite Rosallion only fourth.

Never So Brave joined Andrew Balding following Sir Michael Stoute’s retirement and since finishing a close second on his stable debut at Chester, the four-year-old had dominated the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot in June before following up in the Group Two Summer Mile at the Berkshire track last month.

He was 7-2 to complete his hat-trick in a race carrying Group One status for the first time, with Richard Hannon’s Rosallion an even-money shot after being beaten a nose and neck in the Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes respectively.

With Quinault setting a strong gallop from the off, the two market principals were given time to find their feet before being delivered and it was Never So Brave who hit the front under Oisin Murphy heading inside the final furlong.

Rosallion did his best to reel him in, with Maranoa Charlie and and Lake Forest also arriving late on the scene to set up a grandstand finish, but Never So Brave clung on to beat the latter by half a length, with Maranoa Charlie and Rosallion close up behind in third and fourth.

Anna-Lisa Balding, assistant to her husband, said: “We’re absolutely delighted, it was a wonderful ride, and thank you Sir Michael Stoute who has been very kind to us.

“He’s matured through the year and Andrew has done a pretty good job, I suppose!

“He ran over a mile last time and was dropping back to seven furlongs today. He has got a few quirks and I think as a colt he probably wouldn’t be as good as he is now – I think the gelding operation has been the making of him.”

The Queen presents the trophy to Oisin Murphy after Never So Brave's York success
The Queen presents the trophy to Oisin Murphy after Never So Brave’s York success (Richard Sellers/PA)

Philip Robinson, racing manager for winning owner Saeed Suhail, said: “Slowly, and bit by bit, he’s improved until we’ve got to the Group One.

“It’s been absolutely perfect. Andrew has taken his time and gradually climbed the ladder and now the horse has got so much confidence, which he needed to win today.

“He was tough. I was quite confident once he got to the front as it looked to me like he was fighting everything off and we know he gets a mile, which is an added bonus when you get into a tight finish over seven furlongs as you know they’re going to keep going.”

Never So Brave is 10-1 from 16-1 with Coral for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot. When asked whether that was a likely target, Robinson added: “It’s a possibility. We’ll have to sit down with the owner and trainer and see where we go next, but I’d imagine he’ll stay in training next year as well.”

Tarriance triumphs in Melrose thriller at York

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Andrew Balding claimed his third Sky Bet Melrose Handicap in the last six years as Tarriance touched off Many Men in a barnstorming finish at York.

The Kingsclere handler saddled his top-class stayer Coltrane to land the £170,000 contest in 2020 and having followed up 12 months later with Valley Forge, he fired a twin assault this time around.

Tarriance, winner of two of his four previous starts, appeared the stable’s first string at 5-1 and travelled strongly into the home straight under a confident Colin Keane.

After briefly hitting a flat spot, Tarriance got his second wind inside the final furlong and he and Jim Boyle’s well backed 9-2 favourite Many Men soon drew clear of the chasing pack before passing the post almost as one, but the judge confirmed Balding’s charge as the winner by a nose.

Keane said: “I wasn’t sure on crossing the line if we’d got there. To be fair, Oisin’s (Murphy, riding Many Men) horse probably helped him, but he quickened up nicely and then got a bit lonely.

“He’s a horse who has progressed with each run and stepping up in trip has helped.

“He’s a nice staying horse going forward, in time he’ll get further, he’s got a good mind and wants to win as well. I’d say there’s a bit more to come.”

Barry Mahon, racing manager for owners Juddmonte, said: “Hopefully he’s going to make up into a nice horse for staying races next season.”

Tim Easterby trained Winter Power to win the 2021 Nunthorpe for King Power Racing and in her sister Revival Power (13-2), he has another speedy filly on his hands for the same connections.

She battled back gamely to see off Military Code to win the Julia Graves Roses Stakes by a head.

“She’s a big filly who is weak and she can only get better,” said Easterby.

“It’s a long shot she’ll be as good as her sister, but not many are.

“She’s won a Listed race so we’ll see what we do, something like the Cornwallis might be a race to look at.”

Northern Ticker (12-1) and Danny Tudhope led home veteran stablemate Commanche Falls to give trainer Michael Dods a one-two in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap.

Dods said: “He’s always been a good horse, even last year. He won his two then we went for the Two Year Old Trophy Trophy at Redcar thinking he could win it (finished third). Paul Mulrennan rode him as he does at home, he had to ride for Jim Goldie today, and he just got there too soon.

“There’s been nothing wrong with him this season but it’s been frustrating waiting for some softer ground. He’s so raw he needed races, which is why he ran at Hamilton.

“I’d have been disappointed if he was beaten today, even off 99, but it’s just a shame he had to beat Commanche Falls.

“He’s a very strong traveller so Ayr has to be on the radar. Danny said he’s so straightforward, so it will probably be that next and we’ll see where he ends up next year.”

Tudhope doubled up in the concluding Sky Bet Steve Birch Finale Handicap aboard 11-1 shot Dain Ma Nut In, who provided Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore with a first winner since their training partnership became official.

“He’s a very game horse but he’s not an easy ride. Steve (Fox, brother of stable jockey Derek) rides him out every day at home and I don’t know how he perseveres with him to be honest – he’s a bit of a handful,” said Tudhope.

“He’s a keen-going sort who likes to get on with things and when the second horse (Per Contra) came upsides me, he just ran away from him.

“He’s a little bit tricky and awkward to ride, but he keeps going for you.”

King Of Cities secures Strensall crown

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King Of Cities narrowly outpointed Boiling Point to provide owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid with a one-two in the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes at York.

A quality field of eight runners went to post for the Group Three opener on the fourth and final day of the Ebor Festival, with the William Haggas-trained Bullet Point the 9-4 favourite to make it two wins on the Knavesmire this week following a lucrative handicap success on Thursday.

Boiling Point set out to make all the running, with Bullet Point and King Of Cities his nearest pursuers – and while the market leader weakened when push came to shove, the Richard Hannon-trained 11-1 shot King Of Cities came home strongly under Sean Levey to get up by a head.

Skukuza, who was ridden with more restraint, was finishing best of all and was only a neck further behind in third, with Bullet Point faltering into seventh.

Hannon said: “We’ve always thought a lot of this horse but he has been a bit wayward on occasions, but it was Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s idea to run him over this trip.

“He missed the break again but that might have worked in his favour today as the plan was to make the running – I’m delighted.

“He’s nearly won a lot of money so his owner will be very pleased as he’s a home bred – we ran him in the French Derby.

“This was a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Bahrain International and I’ll speak to his owner to see what he wants to do, he’d certainly have no issues with the travelling.

“He’s got a big future, he’s all about next year.

“We’ll see where we go next, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid will make the call and he was adamant about stepping him up in trip – and he was right.

“He’s a good horse. He’s by that stallion Dubawi, I don’t know if you’ve heard of him but he’s got a future!”

Frescobaldi helps Ryan Moore reach century of York winners

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Ryan Moore secured his 100th winner at York aboard Frescobaldi in the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes.

It has not been the week many expected for Moore, with dual Derby hero Lambourn and Eclipse winner Delacroix both suffering defeat.

However, he did steer the Richard Hughes-trained Star Of Mehmas to a lucrative handicap success on Wednesday and having made it 99 course winners when getting back in the Group One-winning groove on Minnie Hauk in Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks, he reached the landmark on Friday.

Frescobaldi, fifth at the Curragh and second at Fairyhouse on his two previous starts for Aidan O’Brien, was sent off at 100-30 to make it third time lucky in what is traditionally one of the strongest maidens of the season, with a total prize fund of £100,000 up for grabs.

Always to the fore, Frescobaldi was coaxed to the front approaching the final furlong and knuckled down well for pressure to see off the challenge of promising newcomer Spyce by three-quarters of a length.

On reaching his century on the Knavesmire, Moore said: “I’ve always enjoyed riding at York, it’s a great racecourse and hopefully we can keep coming back here.”

Ain’t Nobody proves 100-1 odds wide of the mark with brave Nunthorpe effort

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Kevin Ryan was rewarded for keeping the faith in Ain’t Nobody as he outran odds of 100-1 to finish runner-up in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

The three-year-old won the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot as a juvenile and looked to return to form at the same track this year when a good third in the Commonwealth Cup Trial, but four unplaced runs since meant he headed to the Knavesmire as a rank outsider.

Under Kevin Stott he made a mockery of that estimation, going down by a length and a quarter to the Australian mare Asfoora.

“I’m not one to bring horses to make up the numbers. I never have done it and never will,” Ryan said.

“It’s not about being proved right, it’s having faith in the horse. The owners never question what I do. I told them he was in great form and I said we were going to ride him cold as they’re going to go hard here.

“I said we’ll ride him like when he won at Royal Ascot and it’s worked out a treat.”

William Knight’s King Charles III Stakes second Frost At Dawn was third, another placing at the top level for the 10-1 shot, who was partnered by Mickael Barzalona.

“She’s a star. She’s placed in a Group One again, of course you want to win these races so naturally it’s a bit frustrating,” said Knight.

“She was probably a bit slow away, but Mickael got her up into a nice position, she’s one who just needs to go through the gears but she has run a blinder.

“She’s had plenty of seconds and now a third, but how can you complain? Third in a Group One. I’d just love to find that win at this level.

“She’s not in the Flying Five, but she is in the Abbaye, the ground might go wrong that day for her and the place I’d really love to go to is Del Mar (Breeders’ Cup).”

In fourth was Night Raider, whose trainer Karl Burke said: “That was his best run on turf. When everything goes smoothly for him and he’s relaxed in the prelims and at the start, he’s a horse with a lot of natural ability.

“He’s in the Flying Five and he’s in the Abbaye. He’ll run in all those big sprints and hopefully one day he’ll fall on one.”

Asfoora powers to Nunthorpe victory for Australia

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Australian speedster Asfoora tasted success on British soil once again when blazing her way to victory in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Henry Dwyer’s horse of a lifetime was a Royal Ascot winner when adding spice to the sprinting scene last year and the enduring enterprise of connections was rewarded on the Knavesmire, as the 11-1 shot bettered last year’s fourth in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

Always ideally placed following the blistering pace set by Karl Burke’s Night Raider, Asfoora hit top gear with a furlong to run, scorching a length and a quarter clear of Kevin Ryan’s 100-1 shot Ain’t Nobody, who finished well for second. William Knight’s Frost At Dawn was third.

Dwyer said: “I’d love to see the replay because it looked like she won quite convincingly.

“When you know they are going to win at the two-furlong marker you are sort of on pretty good terms with yourself. It was an easy watch and it was great to be around a lot of friends, really enjoyable.

“It’s just an incredible buzz to be validated with what you think. It was a little bit dicey and people were doubting her, but we didn’t really lose faith.

“It’s always hard to keep faith when they aren’t winning, but we knew there were no excuses coming into today – it was win or be retired basically, and she’s done the job.”

Henry Dwyer (left) with Asfoora after winning the Nunthorpe
Henry Dwyer (left) with Asfoora after winning the Nunthorpe (Richard Sellers/PA)

Having become only the second Australian-trained winner of the Nunthorpe after Ortensia’s victory in 2012, Asfoora’s stay in Europe is set to continue into the early autumn, with next month’s Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh and the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc weekend at ParisLongchamp under consideration.

“The Flying Five in Ireland and the Prix de l’Abbaye in France (are options), if she comes through this well,” Dwyer added.

“At this stage, she’s a seven-year-old mare, and she may tell us she doesn’t want to be there any more, but off the back of that result you can’t say that is the case.”

He went on: “We never set out to come over here, there were just no options back in Australia. Australian racing is amazing and the prize-money is amazing, but it just doesn’t quite cater for five-furlong horses like they do over here.

“We are under no illusions – we aren’t Black Caviar or Ortensia. But she’s picked her mark and she’s tough and she turns up and runs her race when the circumstances are right and she’s done that today.

“Ortensia is the only Australia sprinter to win the Nunthorpe before and it’s probably the second biggest sprint in Europe, so it’s amazing for us to win it too.”

Lifeplan pounces in Gimcrack for Declan Carroll and Zak Wheatley

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A significant step up in class proved no barrier to success for Declan Carroll’s Lifeplan in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York.

A €165,000 yearling purchase in October last year, the Kodi Bear colt made a winning start to his career at Thirsk in late July but faced a far sterner test at Group Two level on the Knavesmire.

Settled in midfield by Zak Wheatley for much of the six-furlong contest, Lifeplan (13-2) found plenty when asked to reel in Rock On Thunder and was a length in front at the line, with 2-1 favourite Do Or Do Not five lengths further behind in third, as he again placed in a Pattern event.

“He’s a very nice horse and he’s always showed that he’s a nice horse,” said Malton-based Carroll.

“I would have liked a bit more juice in the ground, he changed legs once or twice.

“He’s a nice horse to go forward with, you saw how he ran down the leader and we’ve always held him in high regard.

“I thought it was a stiff task after just winning a novice to come into a Group Two, but he is very streetwise.

“We’ll enjoy today. He could be a Guineas horse, I guess, he’s in the Middle Park and that may his next step, but I’d want a bit of ease in the ground coming into the dip at Newmarket.”

Lifeplan and Zak Wheatley after winning the Gimcrack Stakes at York
Lifeplan and Zak Wheatley after winning the Gimcrack Stakes at York (Richard Sellers/PA)

A jubilant Wheatley – who is still eligible to claim 3lb – said: “It’s amazing – there’s no feeling like this. To be trusted with him on the track is massive. I look after him every day at home, so I know him well.

“He was a bit keen going down and we had a plan to get a lead, but he jumped smart and came back underneath me after a few strides. It’s a long straight and he really took off at the end.

“I thought at one stage we were struggling to get the runner-up, but this horse is amazing. He’s a beast, that’s got such an engine.”

Of Rock Of Thunder, fellow Malton trainer Kevin Ryan said: “We were a little bit concerned about the ground, that it might be a little bit too quick for him, but he handled it OK.

“He’s jumped, he’s travelled and got up fairly quickly when we went past the two and I thought it was done and dusted.

“But he’s a very good horse, we think an awful lot of him and he’ll have bigger and better days ahead.

“When you get done late on it’s hard, Declan is a friend of mine and I’m delighted for him, but I’m obviously disappointed.

“He’s run great, he’s a young horse and an exciting horse for the future. We got beat and I’m delighted for the connections of the winner.”

Trawlerman digs deep for Lonsdale Cup glory

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Trawlerman confirmed himself as the standout performer in the staying division in the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes at York.

John and Thady Gosden’s seven-year-old won the Ebor on the Knavesmire three years ago and remained unbeaten on home soil this season with a performance that may have been less conclusive than his Gold Cup romp, but equally impressive in the manner in which he professionally repelled his rivals.

Unable to get his own way at the front this time with Aidan O’Brien’s Shackleton alongside throughout the majority of the early exchanges, William Buick pushed his mount along entering the home straight and asked for him to showcase the stamina that is his forte.

Unlike at Royal Ascot when the 5-6 favourite left his rivals trailing, they were queuing up in his slipstream this time around but Trawlerman showed his relentless staying power to gallop on to the line and lead home a Clarehaven one-two, with well-backed stablemate Sweet William a length and a quarter adrift in second.

Trawlerman was made the 6-4 favourite from 2-1 with Coral for the Qipco Long Distance Cup at Ascot on British Champions Day, with his handler suggesting that would be his next target.

John Gosden said: “The two of them have come away and they are proper, proper staying horses.

“One is seven and the other is six, and they are a lot of fun because staying races are an important part of our programme, so it’s lovely to see him come from the Gold Cup to win the Lonsdale.

“We will freshen him up now and all being well, he will run one more time this year at Ascot on Champions Day.

“The horses tell you if you listen to them, if you force them, it never works. We are delighted with them both and to see the quality of that, it’s a long straight here and it was a proper old battle between the pair of them.

“It will be Doncaster (for Sweet William) all being well.

“He’s (Trawlerman) getting on, and you have to respect his age.

“They tell you how to train, the older they get, they get a little wiser than the trainer, so you listen to them and they tell you.”

Al Nayyir delighted trainer Tom Clover in finishing third, beaten a total of five and a half lengths

He said: “He ran a lovely race, they didn’t go overly hard but he was able to pick up nicely.

“I think now, with the age he is, he might just appreciate a little more cut in the ground but that said, we’ve given them a good race and we’re thrilled with our boy.

“He deserves to pick up a Group race at some point and hopefully he can do that soon.

“Doncaster might come a touch soon for him, we’ll have to see how he is, otherwise there’s the Listed Rose Bowl at Newmarket.”