Mayson's Oxted Storms To King's Stand Success

Providing a boost for Saturday's G1 Diamond Jubilee S. favourite Starman (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), Oxted (GB) (Mayson {GB}) who had previously felt the force of that ascendant sprinter stormed to victory diverted to Tuesday's G1 King's Stand S. Third to that Ed Walker trainee in the May 12 G2 Duke of York S. on his most recent start, last year's G1 July Cup hero was reunited with Cieren Fallon on his first try at this five-furlong trip and the alignments were perfect as he came home strong to deny the surprise package Arecibo (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) by 1 3/4 lengths. Unable to keep tabs with the furious early pace in what would have amounted to a culture shock, the Roger Teal-trained 4-1 second favourite worked his way into contention as the tempo took its toll on those racing closest to it including last year's winner Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). As that 11-8 favourite hit the front approaching the furlong pole, Oxted was getting going out wide and he swooped on the Shadwell luminary with 100 yards remaining en route to an ultimately emphatic win from the improving runner-up. Extravagant Kid (Kiss the Kid) was a neck away in third, with Battaash fading to fourth late on his seasonal reappearance. “It's a dream come true and all credit to Roger and Harry and the team back home,” Fallon said after partnering his first Royal Ascot winner. “I've been blessed to ride a horse like this so early in my career and to have so much support around me. I got a lovely trip–they've gone hard and while normally he can be quite keen, he got into a nice rhythm and picked up when he needed to. This proves he's a proper group 1 horse and that the July Cup win was no fluke.”

As a 3-year-old, Oxted was a work in progress but still managed a second in Newbury's six-furlong Listed Carnarvon S. and a win in Doncaster's prestigious Portland H. The latter came over five furlongs and 143 yards, which prior to this was the shortest he had raced over, but he was back at six on his 2020 bow to win Newmarket's G3 Abernant S. after the delayed start to the season in June. Next seen beating the ill-fated Sceptical (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the July Cup on the town's other track, the bay was out only once more in 2020 after subsequent wind surgery and performed with credit when fifth and beaten only a length in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S. in the testing conditions prevalent on Champions Day.

Seventh on the dirt in the Feb. 20 Riyadh Dirt Sprint on his return, Oxted was turned over as the 8-13 favourite for the latest renewal of the Abernant Apr. 15, with Summerghand (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) providing the upset as Fallon stood himself down due to the effects of a recent injury. Ryan Moore rode him there and again in the Duke of York, with Fallon quarantined in France this time, and while the Teal representative put in a fair effort behind Starman and Nahaarr (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) on the Knavesmire it could be that there was something missing from the formula. Forced into full-on pursuit from the off for the first time since the 2019 Portland, he was able to place all his energy into the right areas and along with the patiently-ridden Arecibo, who was the subject of a Jamie Spencer masterclass on the straight course he rides so well, ran his race the right way round. Harry Teal is hands-on with Oxted and said, “It means the world. I didn't think things could get better than the July Cup, but a Royal Ascot winner is unbelievable. It's a family affair–we all work hard and we deserve it, so we need to celebrate it.” Roger, who holds the licence, added, “I'm speechless. I've dreamt about these days for so long and for a yard of our size to be doing this is amazing. Harry has done all the work with him and the lads back home work so hard–they deserve the credit.”

Oxted, who was bought back for £400,000 at the 2019 Goffs London Sale, is the first foal out of this stable's useful handicapper Charlotte Rosina (GB) (Choisir {Aus}) who was 11th in the G2 Queen Mary S. here 10 years ago. She is a granddaughter of Running Glimpse (Ire) (Runnett {GB}), a half-sister to the G2 Preis von Deutschland and G2 Premio Ellington winner Captain Horatius (Taufan).

Tuesday, Royal Ascot, Britain
KING'S STAND S.-G1, £350,000, Ascot, 6-15, 3yo/up, 5fT, :59.03, g/f.
1–OXTED (GB), 131, g, 5, by Mayson (GB)
1st Dam: Charlotte Rosina (GB), by Choisir (Aus)
2nd Dam: Intriguing Glimpse (GB), by Piccolo (GB)
3rd Dam: Running Glimpse (Ire), by Runnett (GB)
(£400,000 RNA 3yo '19 GOFLON). O-S Piper, T Hirschfeld, D Fish & J Collins; B-Homecroft Wealth Racing (GB); T-Roger Teal; J-Cieren Fallon. £198,485. Lifetime Record: 14-5-3-1, $612,217. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Arecibo (Fr), 131, g, 6, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Oceanique, by Forest Wildcat. (€125,000 3yo '18 ARARC; 50,000gns 5yo '20 TATAHI). O-T W Morley; B-Wertheimer & Frere (FR); T-Robert Cowell. £75,250.
3–Extravagant Kid, 131, g, 8, Kiss the Kid–Pretty Extravagant, by With Distinction. O-DARRS Inc; B-Vicino Racing Stable (FL); T-Brendan Walsh. £37,660.
Margins: 1 3/4, NK, HF. Odds: 4.00, 28.00, 18.00.
Also Ran: Battaash (Ire), Keep Busy (Ire), Liberty Beach (GB), King's Lynn (GB), Stone of Destiny (GB), Winter Power (Ire), Acklam Express (Ire), Maven, Ornate (GB), Harry's Bar (GB), Que Amoro (Ire), Ubettabelieveit (Ire), Glamorous Anna (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.