3 minute read
First-season handler Ollie Sangster celebrated his biggest winner to date when Shuwari landed the Listed European Bloodstock News EBF Star Stakes.
The daughter of New Bay, who was one of two runners in the race for Ollie Sangster alongside Romanova, created a taking impression when winning on debut at Newbury last month and maintained her unbeaten record with a determined victory in the Listed feature.
Shuwari travelled sweetly in the hands of jockey Oisin Murphy and the well-backed 9-4 second favourite displayed a tremendous attitude when battling out the finish with Soprano and Fallen Angel.
The race looked in the balance approaching the furlong marker and it wasn't until late in the day that Shuwari began to get the better of the argument and pull away to score by half a length from Fallen Angel.
Sangster said: "I'm delighted. Oisin gave her a lovely ride. I was on the fence this morning [about running her] having seen the report from last night, but I spoke to John O'Connor, one of the partners at Ballylinch [Stud] that stand New Bay and he was fairly confident they do go on the ground so we thought we would take our chance.
"If she didn't handle it, we would have given her an easy race, but she dug deep and we are delighted.
"Oisin was thrilled, naturally, although he said it was probably not ideal ground but that she is a very tenacious and courageous filly. Hopefully, we might have some nice targets later in the year.
"She has a great attitude and is a straightforward horse to train at home and that is good on the race day. I've some nice juveniles but she is at the top at the pile at the moment.
"We have a small team, and everyone works really hard. These results are great for a big team let alone a small team."
A trip to Goodwood later in the season could be on the horizon as the 26-year-old added: "Having a runner in a Listed race is an achievement in itself. The Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood might be for her.
"I suppose something like the Rockfel Stakes, and maybe the Fillies' Mile, but that is ambitious, and we will see how we progress between now and then. She is a filly that will not have lots of racing this year but hopefully a couple more starts.
"I'd like to think she will stay the mile next year as her dam [Lady Pimpernel] is by Sir Percy so I suspect she will stay. She strikes me as a filly that will stay as she relaxes well, and she finishes out well too.
"I suspect there is a bit of stamina in there, but I think the speed comes from her class. I was going to start her over six. I'm lucky to have a horse like this in the yard. It is nice to have good support and nice horses to work with."
