Victory Queen made the perfect start to her racing career when upholding family honour in the bet365 British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket.
A half-sister to 2000 Guineas and Royal Ascot hero Coroebus, Charlie Appleby’s daughter of Kingman was sent off at 100-30 for her debut at the scene of one of her sibling’s finest hours.
And she delivered a performance that suggests she could be a smart performer in her own right, as having moved into contention, she scooted clear of what on paper read as a smart collection of rivals.
✅ Daughter of Kingman✅ Half-sister to 2000 Guineas hero Coroebus✅ Winning debut
🔵 Nice from Victory Queen at HQ pic.twitter.com/4Y23pK9k03
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 15, 2025
Andrew Balding’s 9-4 favourite Zgharta did close the gap in the closing stages to half a length under Hollie Doyle, but paid the price for being outpaced at a time when William Buick was moving stylishly forwards on Victory Queen.
Appleby’s assistant Alex Merriam said: “It’s her first and run and she was learning on the job a bit, but she’s done it all quite smoothly.
“She was up against a few more experienced horses and on this ground especially I think it’s an advantage if you’d had a run, so hopefully she’ll improve for it.
“Speaking to Charlie there I think we’ll probably find another novice for her and just creep away and see how we go, nothing too exciting yet.
“William seems happy enough with her and I think we’re happy to stick to a mile for the time being.”
Appleby, Buick and Godolphin then doubled up on the day as Treasure Fleet took the Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap by a length and a half as the 9-4 favourite.
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