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Term Of Endearment ensured Henry de Bromhead's first runner at Goodwood was a winner when battling on bravely to land the Group 2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes on Saturday.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare gave Rachael Blackmore a notable victory on her first visit to York in the Group 3 Bronte Cup earlier in the season. This time, she would provide her trainer Henry de Bromhead with Group 2 success on his debut trip to the Sussex Downs.
It was a first attempt in Group 2 company for the daughter of Sea The Moon, who was sent off a 15/2 chance to take the rise in grade in her stride.
The one-mile six-furlong contest was run at a fairly sedate gallop, with Caius Chorister making most of the running on her drop back in trip and grade. As David Menuisier's charge was headed at the two-pole, Night Sparkle and Term Of Endearment moved on to take up the advantage.
Andrew Balding's charge hit the front inside the final furlong, but all the while Billy Lee was beginning to muster a late charge from his mount, who swept on by in the closing stages to land the prize by three-quarters of a length.
River Of Stars put in some good late work to finish third for trainer Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained 11/4 favourite Free Wind, who was well beaten in this twelve months ago in very different conditions, failed to beat any of her seven rivals home.
"It's my first runner here, we've had a lovely time, we've been well looked after and we're having a great day," said de Bromhead.
"I'm not sure I ever go anywhere with confidence, but she had won a couple of Group 3's, so it seemed like the natural progression."
On future plans, de Bromhead was keen to stress plans remain open although did mention a possible tilt at the Melbourne Cup.
"All options are open, and we'll see. She's in the Irish St Leger and I think there is a nice race at York, so we'll see.
"I think she'll stay further. I'd love to go for the Melbourne Cup. It's a great ambition of mine."
The winning jockey Billy Lee, who was also having his first visit to Goodwood, added: "She's done it well. She jumped nicely and got me into a good rhythm the whole way.
"It's my first time here but I was following Oisin (Murphy, on Night Sparkle) – I tracked him through, and this filly picked up well down the hill.
"My only worry was this is the quickest ground she has been on, but she cruised into the race. I was probably there a bit too soon, but I knew that she would stay and she's as fit as a flea from Henry's.
"I think she is maybe improving. She handled that ground really well and even a step up to two miles might not be out of her reach. It would be nice to see how far she can get."
