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In a field of exciting maidens for Thursday evening’s Win £1M With BetMGM's Golden Goals Maiden Stakes at Newcastle, it was Karl Burke’s First Ambition who upheld family reputation with a comfortable victory.
Out of Laurens, also trained by Burke, First Ambition faced tough opposition in the shape of General Ambition (Kameko), a half-brother to Grade 2 winner King Of Gosford, and Lord Capulet (Make Believe), a half-brother to multiple Group 1 hero Rosallion.
Under a confident ride from stable jockey Clifford Lee, Personal Ambition was always handy behind the leaders and made progress with a furlong to run, pulling clear of Kevin Ryan's Lord Capulet to win by one-and-three-quarter lengths. Great Dream finished third for Simon & Ed Crisford, boasting an equally useful pedigree – out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner King Of Change.
In an interview with Sky Sports Racing, Clifford Lee: "He's a lovely horse, he's been working really well, he's done enough at home and just needed to get to the track.
"He's obviously been off for a while and was having his first run as a four-year-old, but as long as he stays sound, I think he'll be a lovely horse for this year on turf.
"He's still such a big, green horse and like I was saying, he's done enough at home and we just needed to get him to the track now.
"He's done it very nicely, he travelled really well, I kept it very simple and he stayed right to the line.
"At home, I've ridden him a few times in his gallops and we have thought a lot of him, he's galloped really well, but there's only so much you can do at home and we're just delighted he's got his head in front there."
A four-year-old, First Ambition (Invincible Spirit) is the first foal from six-time Group 1 winning heroine Laurens (Siyouni). Second in the Group 1 1000 Guineas on her three-year-old debut, Laurens dominated the female mile to middle distance division for the remainder of the 2018 season, winning the Group 1 Prix de Diane and the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes amongst other top-level honours. She remained one of the best mares in training as a four-year-old, successful in the Group 1 Prix Rothschild and recording placings at the top level against the boys.
