By Sean Cronin
Having secured a maiden pattern-race win in Germany earlier in the campaign, fledgling jockey Billy Loughnane registered a career high when steering the twice-raced maiden and Brian Meehan trainee Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}–Amazonka {Ire}, by Camelot {GB}), racing in the famed Robert Sangster silks, to a narrow victory in Tuesday's G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot.
The 80-1 outsider, who placed in maidens at Newbury and Chester prior to this black-type bow, broke smartly and raced in a leading wave of three at the head of the smaller far-side group. Last to come off the bridle when shaken up passing the quarter-mile marker, he came under increased urging thereafter and was driven out to prevail by a nose from Wathan Racing's fast-finishing Electrolyte (Ire) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), the duo split by the width of the track. Fellow Wathnan Racing entry Columnist (GB) (Ardad {Ire}) was a head away in third as two lengths covered the first eight home.
“This feels amazing and, dare I say, it was not a huge surprise,” admitted Brian Meehan. “You can try and keep a lid on things now, but we'll draw breath in an hour or so and take some pleasure out of it. It's just very special. He's felt very good since Chester and everything has gone really well with him throughout. When a horse runs around Chester, it's like having two runs and they learn so much, especially for a 2-year-old who had only run once. He has been training so well at home and the team have done a tremendous job. We got to 48 hours ago and we thought we were in good shape. [Agent] Shashi Righton looks after Billy as well, so we get to use Billy when we can. He's a great kid, he has a lovely way about him and is wonderful with people. The world is his oyster as far as the horse business is concerned.”
Looking ahead to future targets, Meehan continued, ” I've always liked the idea of the [G1] Prix Morny [at Deauville], but we shall see. The [G2] July Stakes [at Newmarket] would be too soon, but the [G2] Richmond Stakes [at Goodwood] is attractive. Obviously, we have to think about Group 1 races and maybe a Breeders' Cup by the end of the year.”
Billy the Kid is deadly…
Loughnane was on cloud nine after notching a first Royal triumph and said. “Wow, what a feeling! I haven't even been riding two years yet and I had my 200th career winner last night at Windsor. I came here this week just praying I would manage to get on the board with one. To do it so early is a massive relief and I can't thank everyone from Brian Meehan's and everyone involved. I was very lucky to get the opportunity and Brian was very confident coming into the race. Rashabar was very tough and had to do it the hard way. I wasn't 100 percent sure I had won, I just kept driving away. I looked up at the big TV screen and I thought I might have won, but you never know for certain. This is the best feeling in the world, you grow up watching races like this and it's always been a dream of mine to try and win one. It's my first Group race in the UK and it means a lot.”
Iconic silks back on top…
Manton Thoroughbreds manager Sam Sangster, who was on the docket when Rashabar was knocked down for €120,000 as an Arqana August yearling, commented, “It was amazing, an unbelievable amount of pride with that horse crossing the line and I'm in tears behind my sunglasses. Brian [Meehan] believed in the horse from day one and we came here with, I really did feel, a big chance. The owners are big supporters of mine and I'm blown away. There was a reason I set the syndicate up 10 years ago, to keep the colours going. We have a lot of runners and it's been fantastic in the last couple of years. We had Isaac Shelby last year and this fellow this year. I am a bit lost for words and emotional, especially when you talk about the colours and my old man.”
Pedigree Notes
Rashabar is the first of two foals produced by an unraced half-sister to G3 Bronte Cup victrix River Of Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Listed Dortmunder St Leger Trial winner Apadanah (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Listed Premio Coolmore runner-up Ancona (Ire) (Amaron {GB}). The January-foaled bay is half to a yearling filly by Acclamation (GB). Descendants of his third dam, G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine Amarette (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), include G1 Criterium International victor Alson (Ger) (Areion {Ire}) and G2 German 2000 Guineas hero Ancient Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).
What a finish! 80/1 shot Rashabar wins the Coventry Stakes in a photo at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/LHBEgZLjXn
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2024
Tuesday, Ascot, Britain
COVENTRY S.-G2, £175,000, Ascot, 6-18, 2yo, 6fT, 1:13.90, g/f.
1–RASHABAR (IRE), 129, c, 2, by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
1st Dam: Amazonka (Ire), by Camelot (GB)
2nd Dam: Amazone (Ger), by Adlerflug (Ger)
3rd Dam: Amarette (Ger), by Monsun (Ger)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€120,000 Ylg '23 ARAUG). O-Manton Thoroughbreds IX; B-SARL Ecurie Haras de Beaufay (IRE); T-Brian Meehan; J-Billy Loughnane. £99,243. Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-1, $139,916. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Electrolyte (Ire), 129, c, 2, Hello Youmzain (Fr)–Bibury (GB), by Royal Applause (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (72,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT; £220,000 2yo '24 GOUKB). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Bibury Partnership (IRE); T-Archie Watson. £37,625.
3–Columnist (GB), 129, c, 2, Ardad (Ire)–Sand And Deliver (GB), by Royal Applause (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (8,000gns Ylg '23 TATSOM; £170,000 2yo '24 GOUKB). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Peter Balding (GB); T-Richard Fahey. £18,830.
Margins: NO, HD, HF. Odds: 80.00, 40.00, 50.00.
Also Ran: Cool Hoof Luke (GB), Al Qudra (Ire), Symbol Of Honour (GB), Cowardofthecounty (Ire), Star Anthem (Ire), Angelo Buonarroti, Nascimento (Ire), Camille Pissarro (Ire), Catalyse (Ire), The Actor (Ire), Turners Cross (Ire), Midnight Strike (Ire), Mr Chaplin (GB), Ingot (GB), Yah Mo Be There (GB), Francisco's Piece (GB), Zminiature (GB), Arran (Ire), Up The Clarets (Ire). Scratched: Andesite (GB).
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