What is beyond doubt is that Royal Scotsman is a class act, with his close second to Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Dewhurst S. possibly even better form than his third in the 2000 Guineas itself, with the Newmarket Classic's cutting edge blunted by nagging heavy rain. When the sun burned and the turf rode slick at the Goodwood Festival in July, he was able to take apart the six-furlong G2 Richmond S. with pace that will be lethal if he can carry it this far.

Strongly-supported by the hard hitters on Friday, Royal Scotsman will most likely head to post the favourite and Oliver Cole is abuzz with the cross-sea travelling having gone to plan. “He's in great form, he left for Ireland on Thursday night and arrived Friday morning and has eaten up, so we couldn't be happier with him,” he said. “To do what he did at Newmarket, to be keen and pull for four furlongs and then finish shows he's pretty good. He broke the track record in the Richmond at Goodwood and he was in the second-fastest ever Dewhurst–his sectionals were amazing after the first furlong. He is a very, very good horse, everything just needs to go right for him.”

A Classic Conundrum...
While it is too early to say, the 2000 Guineas looks far from vintage at this stage and this version follows the same narrative on paper at least. Newmarket's Classic was stacked even more than usual with fast colts, who bar Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) seemed the most exciting of those lining up but so many hopes were ultimately dashed as the ground deepened and stretched staying power all around. While the Irish 2000 is set to take place on far livelier terrain, those who helped light up the Classic three weeks ago are already firmly on the road to the Commonwealth Cup.

So what are we left with? TDN Rising Star Hi Royal (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) exceeded all expectations to be an errant second, one of a long line of rank outsiders to make the frame in the Guineas, but it is impossible to tell how he will back up here. Royal Scotsman may have been third after over-racing, but he far from convinced with how well he ultimately saw out the mile.

The O'Brien Factor…
Six of the last 10 winners of this hadn't been to Newmarket, which of course brings in the Aidan O'Brien contingent (is there ever a time when they could be safely counted out?) and in particular the Listed Tetrarch S.-winning TDN Rising Star Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) with all his upside. While he will have his many supporters, it is perhaps Donnacha who has charge of the colt with all the boxes ticked. Step forward Proud And Regal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who went the Mac Swiney route of Leopardstown's G3 Derby Trial only to fall short against Jessie Harrington's genuine Derby contender Sprewell (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}).

Proud And Regal won on debut here in June, went too fast early in the Futurity on his second visit and already needed further than seven furlongs when denied in the Vincent O'Brien National S. tackling the Kildare venue for the third time. His one try at a mile yielded a Criterium International, but the heavy ground there would have been against the chestnut son of Simply Perfect (GB) (Danehill) so his defeat of Ballydoyle's classy Espionage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) could even be upgraded.

In The Fast Lane…
A Classic is a Classic, but few would forgive those who are placing Haydock's G2 Sandy Lane S. over the Curragh feature on Saturday, such is the pull of the 3-year-old sprinting generation this year. As mentioned above, the Guineas boasted the likes of Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) and while the former has since disappointed, the latter is very much alive and kicking in the category. This is a case of clean slate for the brilliant juvenile of 2022, who has everything in his favour and defeat here will not be enough to stop the worries that he is not the force he was. Physically, the beast who took apart the Phoenix assembly including the beleaguered fellow TDN Rising Star Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) must be at least as good this year and with the calendar stacked against Ryan Moore, it is Frankie who gets to push the buttons for possibly the only time. Lucky man.

What Now For Bradsell?
We see it every year. A wide-margin, dynamic Spring success for a juvenile blessed with “early”, possibly a Royal Ascot sprint wrapped up while that precocity still dominates and then a slow slide into the wilderness. For Bradsell, the latter scenario has thankfully not played out with injury stopping him after his unlucky experience in the Phoenix and a highly respectable comeback effort in Ascot's G3 Pavilion S. last month. While the re-opposing winner Cold Case (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) had his measure that day, Victorious Racing's Coventry hero is on a sounder surface here and Archie Watson has him in a good place. “He travelled very well at Ascot and got a bit tired late, which was to be expected,” he said. “I hope he can take a good step forwards fitness-wise from there. It looks a very strong trial for the Commonwealth Cup. I'd say whatever wins will be the one to beat at Ascot, so at least we'll all know after the weekend.”

Back In Her Comfort Zone?
One of the big performances of the two Guineas at Newmarket was that of Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) in the 1000 as she effectively “won” the race behind Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) and Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) despite having appeared to have gone off too quickly. Having been third in the Lowther when possibly York's fast six furlongs proved too slick, she made all in Newmarket's Listed Bosra Sham Fillies' S. as the ground eased in the autumn so it is a question of whether it will all be happening too quickly again here. “Her Guineas run puts her in the picture and we should be bang there,” trainer Kieran Cotter said. “In an ideal situation we would have liked a bit of rain, but she handled quick ground when she ran at York in the Lowther and she is pretty versatile.”

Fields Of Stars…
Saturday's cluttered action across Britain and Ireland requires a whistle-stop preview and much analysis after with Royal Ascot particularly in mind. The Curragh's card sees the TDN Rising Stars Noche Magica (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Democracy (Ire) (No Nay Never) go the “Blackbeard route” to Berkshire, while the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp heroine The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) makes her debut for Katsumi Yoshida and Roger Varian in Haydock's G2 Temple S. White Birch Farm's unbeaten Prince of Wales's S. and Eclipse entry Francesco Clemente (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) faces his first black-type test in Goodwood's Listed Festival S., while York's G3 Bronte Cup plays host to George Strawbridge's G2 Park Hill S.-winning 4-year-old Mimikyu (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Her sister Journey (GB) really got going at that age, so its still all to play for the quirky but talented representative of the Gosdens.

Tahiyra Heads Sunday Delights…
Dermot Weld would have been heartened by the inside draw handed to Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) in Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh as The Aga Khan's TDN Rising Star was the key member of the 10-strong cast confirmed on Friday. Also set to be represented by live contender Tarawa (Ire) (Shamardal), the Rosewell House handler has booked Billy Lee for that G3 Cornelscourt S. runner-up. Aidan O'Brien's trio is headed by Tahiyra's old rival Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), who is alongside the likely favourite in two and set for a Moyglare rematch on the faster ground she relishes so that scores can finally be settled. A thrilling G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup was confirmed, with Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}), Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) and Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) good to go in the first big older horse encounter of the European season.

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Past graduates of the Guineas Breeze-Up Sale include crack sprinter and multiple Group 1 winner The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), G2 Beresford S. hero Crypto Force (GB) (Time Test {GB}), and Grade/Group 1 winners Shantisara (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}) and Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}).

At least 47 stallions with juveniles catalogued have sired Classic or Grade/Group 1 winners including Acclamation (GB), Australia (GB), Camelot (GB), Cotai Glory (GB), Dark Angel (Ire), Exceed And Excel (Aus), Invincible Spirit (Ire), Kodiac (GB), Mehmas (Ire), New Bay (GB), No Nay Never, Oasis Dream (GB), Saxon Warrior (Jpn), Sea The Moon (Ger), Showcasing (GB), Starspangledbanner (Aus), Teofilo (Ire), Zoffany (Ire), and Zoustar (Aus) among others. There are also 19 first-season sires with offspring slated for sale, among them Advertise (GB), Blue Point (Ire), Calyx (GB), Eqtidaar (Ire), Inns Of Court (Ire), Invincible Army (Ire), Masar (Ire), Phoenix of Spain (Ire), Soldier's Call (GB), Study of Man (Ire), Ten Sovereigns (Ire), Too Darn Hot (GB) and Magna Grecia (Ire), who has already produced an impressive debut winner, and American sire Catholic Boy.

The Horses-in-Training Sale features last out winners Naaser (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) (lot 152) from The Castlebridge Consignment, and Jamie Railton will consign Maasai Mara (GB) (Roaring Lion) (lot 100). The 100-rated Kiwano (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) (lot 114) will go through the ring for David Simcock; while the Michael Appleby-trained Zealot (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) (lot 99), is also set to sell off of a mark of 109. Juddmonte, too, offers a draft, with seven horses going under the hammer, among them lot 128, a Galileo (Ire) colt named Caustic (GB).Two lots of note from Vicarage Farm are a Sea The Stars (Ire) filly (lot 154) out of a Nathaniel (Ire) half-sister to G2 Lancashire Oaks winner Pongee (GB) (Barathea {Ire}), as well as the granddam of top producer Prudenzia (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). Also from their draft is lot 124, a 2-year-old colt by New Bay (GB) out of G2 Queen Mary S.-placed Hairy Rocket (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up enjoyed an exceptional year on the racecourse in 2022, led by historic G1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner The Platinum Queen, one of seven group and listed performers bought at last year's sale. Classic prospect Crypto Force, multiple Group 1-winning stayer Trueshan, US Grade I winner Shantisara and Scandinavian Champion Hard One To Please also illustrate the quality and diversity that buyers have come to expect from the sale. This year's catalogue features a strong selection of quality 2-year-olds that we are confident will appeal to domestic and international buyers in all sectors of the market, alongside the largest horses in training section in the sale's history.”

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The Middleham Park Racing runner was bred by Tally-Ho Stud, who stands her sire, the G3 Trophy S. victor Cotai Glory. Offered by Tally-Ho at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale, Middleham Park purchased the February foal and sent her to trainer Richard Fahey, where she won on debut at Ripon. A winner at York and Goodwood in July, she ran second to Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in the G1 Nunthorpe S., and filled that position again in the G2 Flying Childers S. prior to her l'Abbaye victory. This is the extended family of group winner Tiger Royal (Ire) (Royal Academy).

Tom Palin of Middleham Park Racing said, “The Platinum Queen's breeze at the Rowley Mile back in April was unbelievably impressive and we were determined to buy her. She has been an absolute superstar for Middleham Park Racing ever since, taking us everywhere including Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood, the Ebor Meeting at York and ultimately to Group 1 glory in the Abbaye on Arc day at Longchamp where she achieved something which has not been done in more than 40 years. The Platinum Queen really is a special filly, a credit to Richard Fahey and the whole team at Musley Bank, and she has the physical scope to develop into an equally outstanding 3-year-old.”

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Atoning for a heartbreaking defeat on her beloved Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the preceding G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines, Hollie Doyle made full use of Richard Fahey's dynamo's relentless pace to shake off all pressure and hold White Lavender (Ire) (Heeraat {Ire}) by a short neck, with Coeur De Pierre (Fr) (Zanzibari) a neck behind in third.

“It was never in doubt really–I thought it was a pretty dominant performance and Hollie said she idled a little bit in the last 100 yards,” Middleham Park Racing's Tom Palin said of the 7-5 favourite. “It was a 'Win and You're In' for the Breeders' Cup and being a tight northerner, that's great as it means we don't need to pay the entry fee! As long as the filly comes out of it alright, then I think we'll look forward to going to America if they'll have us.”

The Platinum Queen's journey to Paris was not an easy one, with three successes in rapid times involving a juvenile course record-setting win at Goodwood July 27 before meeting Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in the G1 Nunthorpe S. at York Aug. 19. Second only to that huge talent, the bay stretched Trillium (GB) (No Nay Never) to the limit next time in the Sept. 11 G2 Flying Childers S. at Doncaster, losing out close home and while that peer flattened out next time in the Cheveley Park, The Platinum Queen emerged from that battle stronger.

Shadowing Mo Celita (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) throughout the first 1 1/2 furlongs before her natural speed saw her move on from that compatriot, she was there to be shot at as she has been throughout most of her brief career and as White Lavender loomed late, a gallant surrender would have been excusable. Despite lugging towards the rail as the line neared, the 2-year-old refused to buckle and was extending again yards after the finish.

Clifford Lee said of White Lavender, “We were a bit unlucky, because we were giving away so much weight to the winner. My horse was very brave to have run such a race because we went extremely fast.”

Coeur de Pierre's trainer Mauricio Delcher Sanchez added, “There is nothing else he could have done and he had an excellent trip through the race. We have finished third and we are happy, his year is finished now. He will go off for a break to Haras de Grandcamp, where he was born. We will hopefully have him back in April to prepare for a new season.”

Pedigree Notes

The Platinum Queen, who becomes the first Group 1 winner for her second-crop sire, is the first runner for the dam Thrilled (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who is kin to the listed-placed The Gold Cheongsam (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}). The second dam is the listed-placed Fuerta Ventura (Ire) (Desert Sun {GB}), who is in turn a half to the Listed Ripon Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy winner and G2 Mill Reef S. runner-up Sir Xaar (Ire) (Xaar {GB}). From the family of the dual G1 Irish St Leger hero Oscar Schindler (Ire) (Royal Academy), Thrilled's yearling colt by Galileo Gold (GB) was a £170,000 purchase by Richard Spencer for Phil Cunningham at last month's Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, while she also has a colt foal by the same sire.

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE L'ABBAYE DE LONGCHAMP LONGINES-G1, €350,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-2, 2yo/up, 5fT, :58.65, vsf.
1–THE PLATINUM QUEEN (IRE), 116, f, 2, by Cotai Glory (GB)
1st Dam: Thrilled (Ire), by Kodiac (GB)
2nd Dam: Fuerta Ventura (Ire), by Desert Sun (GB)
3rd Dam: Cradle Brief (Ire), by Brief Truce
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (57,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRG). O-Middleham Park Racing XV; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Richard Fahey; J-Hollie Doyle. €199,990. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 7-4-2-0, €411,679. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–White Lavender (Ire), 133, f, 4, Heeraat (Ire)–Goodnight And Joy (Ire), by Rip Van Winkle (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs Barbara M Keller; B-Paul McCartan (IRE); T-Karl Burke. €80,010.
3–Coeur De Pierre (Fr), 137, g, 6, Zanzibari–Twilight Tear (GB), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€47,000 Ylg '17 OSASEP). O-Ecurie Pandora Racing & Ahmed Mouknass; B-Haras de Grandcamp EARL (FR); T-Mauricio Delcher Sanchez. €40,005.
Margins: SNK, NK, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.40, 30.00, 6.00.
Also Ran: Mo Celita (Ire), Moss Tucker (Ire), New York City (Ire), Ponntos (Ire), Mitbaahy (Ire), Raasel (GB), Flotus (Ire), Teresa Mendoza (Ire), Caturra (Ire), Miramar (GB), A Case Of You (Ire), Mooneista (Ire), Agiato (GB), Berneuil (Ire), Tees Spirit (GB). Scratched: Castle Star (Ire). Video, sponsored by TVG.

Hollie Doyle is at it again – winning the Prix de l'Abbaye on 2yo The Platinum Queen for @MprUpdates & @RichardFahey. pic.twitter.com/BOxgVltvuE

— TDN (@theTDN) October 2, 2022

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“The Platinum Queen is a very useful filly,” said Palin. “We didn't confirm her for the Cheveley Park this morning [Tuesday], we want to keep her to five furlongs so she will head straight to the Abbaye now–all being well.”

A debut winner at Ripon in June, the daughter of Thrilled (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) was unplaced in the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot later that month, but returned to take both a York novice and a Goodwood conditions stakes, in July. Stepped up to Group 1 company, she found only three-time top-level heroine Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) too good in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. on Aug. 19. After leading for most of the G2 Flying Childers S., The Platinum Queen missed by only a short head to Trillium (GB) (No Nay Never) on Sept. 11. Fellow Middleham Park runner, the Sept. 16 Listed Rosebery S. hero Prince Of Pillo (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}), was fourth in the Flying Childers.

“We felt they were two nice horses, The Platinum Queen and Trillium, I think that's been confirmed there with Prince Of Pillo's performance at Ayr that they are perhaps the two nicest fillies in Europe,” Palin added.

“She ran an absolute blinder in the Nunthorpe so it's a logical target. There is the G3 Cornwallis [S. on Oct. 7] that we could go for of course, but Prince Of Pillo is going to go there so that's his race.

“We were already in the Abbaye with her and she's shown she can cut it against these older sprinters–if you took Highfield Princess out of the Nunthorpe then The Platinum Queen wins the race by two or three lengths.

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A touch eager, the Richard Hannon trainee raced in a pocket at the end of the bunched field, as The Platinum Queen made the running. Niggled at by Pat Dobbs to improve, she began to let down inside the final 300 yards and, once a seam opened, steamed home to just touch off the pacesetter by a short head. Crispy Cat (GB) (Ardad {Ire}) was 4 1/4 lengths back in third.

Dobbs said, “I couldn't pull her up, she wanted to go round again. Sam Hitchcott has been riding her these past couple of weeks and he's done a great job in getting her settled. Richard just keeps her sweet at home, she trains herself. She's very quick and very tough so that is everything you want.

“She actually travelled too well and never relaxed properly so it's probably a better performance than it looks.”

Hannon, who as Guineas aspirations for his filly, said, “I'm delighted with her, she's turned into the most lovely filly and she has grown a lot. She clearly wants six furlongs now, Pat couldn't pull her up, and it will be the Cheveley Park next.

“Hopefully she can develop into a Guineas filly next year if she keeps progressing.”

Pedigree Notes

Trillium is yet another multiple group winner for her Coolmore sire, who is enjoying a wonderful year with his progeny, led by juvenile Group 1 winners Little Big Bear (Ire) and Blackbeard (Ire). Her dam, the G3 Dick Poole S. second Marsh Hawk (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), threw the stakes-placed Mohawk King (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) as her first foal, and Sunday's heroine is her third foal and third winner.

A half-sister to the G2 Queen Mary S. third Hairy Rocket (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), she has a yearling colt by Iffraaj (GB) named Stanley Spencer (Ire) and foaled a weanling colt by Wootton Bassett (GB) this season. Under the fourth dam is the former Royal runner and G2 Dante S. hero Carlton House (Street Cry Ire}), who was second in both the G1 Ranvet S. and G1 Prince Of Wales's S. across both hemispheres.

Sunday, Doncaster, Britain
CORAL FLYING CHILDERS S.-G2, £115,000, Doncaster, 9-11, 2yo, 5f 3yT, :59.34, sf.
1–TRILLIUM (GB), 126, f, 2, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: Marsh Hawk (GB) (GSP-Eng),
                                by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
2nd Dam: Asaawir (GB), by Royal Applause (GB)
3rd Dam: Triple Joy (GB), by Most Welcome (GB)
O/B-Rockcliffe Stud (GB); T-Richard Hannon; J-Pat Dobbs.
£65,217. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $136,652. *1/2 to Mohawk
King (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), SP-US. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for
   the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–The Platinum Queen (Ire), 126, f, 2, Cotai Glory (GB)–Thrilled
(Ire), by Kodiac (GB). (57,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRG).
O-Middleham Park Racing XV; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Richard
Fahey. £24,725.
3–Crispy Cat (GB), 129, c, 2, Ardad (Ire)–Mara Grey (Ire), by
Azamour (Ire). (7,500gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; £105,000 Ylg '21
TATIRY). O-Amo Racing Ltd; B-Saeed Masser Al Romaithi (GB);
T-Michael O'Callaghan. £12,374.
Margins: SHD, 4 1/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 2.00, 1.75, 7.00.
Also Ran: Prince of Pillo (Ire), Lady Hamana (Aus), Funny Money Honey (Ire), Harry Time (Ire), Malrescia (Ire). VIDEO.

Trillium wins the Coral Flying Childers at @DoncasterRaces. pic.twitter.com/hrdwu99tzl

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 11, 2022

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The rise & rise of Highfield Princess

Successful off a mark of 58 back in September 2020, she records a second G1 success with a devastating display in the @coolmorestud Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes for @johnquinnracing & @jasonhart13 @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/8tCHKwiqjD

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 19, 2022

“She's definitely getting quicker,” Hart said of the winner, whose win guarantees her an entry into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, with the Nunthorpe part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. “She gave me my first group one winner a couple of weeks ago and it probably means more today to do it on home soil. I was really confident, the two-year-old was giving us a nice tow and I thought I'd be able to pick her up whenever I wanted really. I thought if I could just hold her together for the middle part of the race she'd finish her race off.”

Not only is Highfield Princess the first to complete the Maurice de Gheest-Nunthorpe double, this second career outing over Britain's minimum trip also resulted in her becoming the since Handsome Sailor (GB) in 1988 to follow up a win in the Duke of York here. Her trajectory is one of the year's great racing stories, with a sixth in Royal Ascot's G1 Platinum Jubilee S. June 18 her only reversal since a second to the handicapper Tone The Barone (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in a conditions event which was a belated first try at this distance on Wolverhampton's Tapeta Mar. 19.

Harnessing all the indomitable spirit which saw her conquer Royal Ascot's Buckingham Palace H. over seven furlongs last June, the bay who had also captured the Listed Queen Charlotte Fillies' S. on Chelmsford's Polytrack early the next month and finished second to Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 City of York S. at this festival 12 months ago has achieved a level of versatility which few can manage. Four runs on from her success over seven in Newcastle's All-Weather Fillies' and Mares' Championships Conditions S. Apr. 15, she was readily handing one of the season's fastest juveniles The Platinum Queen a remarkable 24 pounds advantage en route to subduing a clutch of five-furlong specialists like Royal Aclaim (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire})–the disappointing 5-2 favourite who was sixth–and Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

John Quinn has his sights set on Keeneland in November, with a trip to ParisLongchamp beforehand. “It took her quite a while to learn her trade,” he said. “We put her in the Foret and the Abbaye, so all being well two more runs in either of those and then the Breeders' Cup. She's got loads of tactical speed and five and a half furlongs around two bends will be right up her alley.”

“When she was starting out, I said to John [Fairley] that she won't win a maiden so we'll get her categorised and go from there. When they gave her 57 I thought 'oh heck, we can't get her in a 0-55!',” Quinn added. “Her progress year in and year out and been astounding. This means everything. It's better than winning the lottery. To win here at York, with all my family here, it's fantastic.” Fairley added, “Her story is one of the most epic stories in the history of thoroughbred racing. To do what she has done in two years is incredible and to win a Nunthorpe by two and a half lengths! Hardly anyone does that. She bit me this morning, that's how I knew she was feeling good, but I didn't think she'd win like that.”

Tim Palin, syndicate manager for Middleham Park Racing, said of The Platinum Queen, “The weight-for-age might be a little bit generous and whether we can come back and replicate that in the future only time will tell, but I think she's going to give us plenty of fun. She's got the Abbaye entry and you wouldn't know whether the ground in Paris will suit her or not. You would have thought that would be the logical place to go.” Kevin Ryan's son and assistant Adam said of Emaraaty Ana, “He's taken his time to recover from running in Dubai earlier in the year, but he was more himself in the July Cup and has come here a fresh horse and has run his race. Hopefully now he can go on to Haydock now and defend his crown in the Sprint Cup.”

Foaled at Haras du Camp Benard in Normandy, Highfield Princess, is out of the 18,000gns Godolphin cast-off Pure Illusion (Ire) (Danehill) whose son Cardsharp (GB) (Lonhro {Aus}) was successful in the G2 July S. and placed in the G1 Middle Park S., G2 Gimcrack S., G2 Richmond S. and G2 Norfolk S. The second dam Saintly Speech (Southern Halo) took the G3 Princess Margaret S. and is also the second dam of the G3 Park Express S. and G3 C. L. Weld Park S. winner Chrysanthemum (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who in turn produced the G3 Sandown Classic Trial scorer Cunco (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Pure Illusion's 2-year-old colt Highfield Viking (GB) (Aclaim {Ire}) was bought back by Fairley at 40,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 3.

Friday, York, Britain
COOLMORE WOOTTON BASSETT NUNTHORPE S.-G1, £533,750, York, 8-19, 2yo/up, 5fT, :57.18, g/f.
1–HIGHFIELD PRINCESS (FR), 138, m, 5, by Night of Thunder (Ire)
1st Dam: Pure Illusion (Ire), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Saintly Speech, by Southern Halo
3rd Dam: Eloquent Minister, by Deputy Minister
(29,000gns RNA Ylg '18 TATDEY). O/B-Trainers House Enterprises Ltd (FR); T-John Quinn; J-Jason Hart. £302,690. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 29-11-5-5, $1,022,792. *1/2 to Cardsharp (GB) (Lonhro {Aus}), GSW & G1SP-Eng, $355,619. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–The Platinum Queen (Ire), 114, f, 2, Cotai Glory (GB)–Thrilled (Ire), by Kodiac (GB).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (57,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRG). O-Middleham Park Racing XV; B-Tally Ho Stud (IRE); T-Richard Fahey. £114,756.
3–Emaraaty Ana (GB), 141, g, 6, Shamardal–Spirit of Dubai (Ire), by Cape Cross (Ire). O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (GB); T-Kevin Ryan. £57,432.
Margins: 2HF, 1HF, 1. Odds: 5.00, 4.50, 12.00.
Also Ran: Khaadem (Ire), Dragon Symbol (GB), Royal Aclaim (Ire), Lazuli (Ire), Raasel (GB), Acklam Express (Ire), Flotus (Ire), Clarendon House (GB), New York City (Ire), Winter Power (Ire). Scratched: Ainsdale (GB), Ebro River (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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“We are delighted to announce that after discussions between Richard Fahey and her owners, The Platinum Queen has been supplemented for the G1 Nunthorpe S. at the Ebor Festival where she will be ridden by Hollie Doyle,” Middleham Park Racing said on Twitter.

She will face Sunday's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest victress Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) among the 17 current nominations.

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Sent off the 5-6 favorite in her latest start, the Richard Fahey-trained filly came home a four-length winner over nine rivals, setting a new track record for 2-year-olds while recording a faster time than the winner of the G3 Molecomb S. on the same card.

“We were quite impressed with how Trillium (GB) (No Nay Never) went about her business in the Molecomb, the jury was out on whether we should or we shouldn't have run in that race after [her win],” said Middleham Park's Tom Palin. “There were a few people thinking we'd done the wrong thing but she's quite a forward-going filly. She's not buzzy, she doesn't sweat or anything like that, but for her development we felt it was best to give her a slightly quieter day in slightly calmer waters to get another win under her belt.”

In addition to the Nunthorpe, Palin indicated the Listed Roses S. is also an option during York's Ebor meeting. Hollie Doyle is slated to ride.

“She will definitely go to York, the Roses is on the Saturday, the listed five-furlong race. I imagine she'd be even-money or maybe a bit shorter than that if she went there. It is still a definite option.”

“We will probably leave it as late as we dare, just so we know how the filly is. We'll make the decision and speak to the syndicate when we've got all the information at our disposal and we feel it's something we want to take a chance on.”

“It could be quite sporting to roll the dice and give it a go. She has speed but it's not just speed, she's classy as well.”

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