3 minute read

Bay Bridge proved far too good for his rivals when running out a ready winner of the Group 3 September Stakes in Kempton's opener.

On paper, it looked like a fairly straightforward task for Bay Bridge as he dropped back to Group 3 company for the first time since winning the Coral Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown in May 2022. All six of his subsequent starts had come at the top-level including victory over Epsom Derby hero Adayar in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot last season.

Richard Kingscote, who had received a degree of criticism for his ride on Bay Bridge in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in May, never looked to have a moment of worry as he tracked both Max Vega and Shandoz for the majority of the mile and a half journey.

The James Wigan-owned son of New Bay could be easily spotted going best as the field turned for home and, in all truth, the race looked as good as over once Richard Kingscote manoeuvred his mount towards the cutaway.

Bay Bridge picked up smartly once given the office and the well-backed 8/11 market leader found himself comfortably three and three-quarter lengths clear of the running on Candleford (11/1) at the line. The front-running Max Vega (25/1) stuck on well once headed to finish third, while Israr, who sent off 100/30 to give the Gosden team another success in this Group 3 contest, ultimately disappointed back in sixth.

Paddy Power cut the winner from 10/1 to 8/1 for a repeat of his Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot later in the season but the 8/1 was quickly snapped up by punters and the Irish-based firm now make him a 7/1 chance.

It was a record-breaking seventh September Stakes success for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who said: "We were unsure about the distance, so we've ticked that box. That's a real big plus.

"We'll do some thinking now with the owners [James Wigan & Ballylinch Stud] as to where we go next.

"The ground stopped him earlier in the season, so he had an enforced break.

"He was very impressive today and I like the way he did it."