By Tom Frary
Newmarket's mile maiden on Friday evening's card holds a special place as the race that hosted the debut of Frankel (GB), not to mention Motivator (GB) and others who went on to make their mark in the big league, and this year it was the turn of Julian Richmond-Watson to enjoy the spoils courtesy of his newcomer Anniversary (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}–Lixirova {Fr}, by Slickly {Fr}). Racing prominently from the outset under Rob Hornby, the 16-1 shot gained the edge approaching the furlong marker and stayed on strongly to get to the line 3/4 of a length ahead of Ballydoyle's Scandinavia (Justify). Continuing the red-hot form of the Ralph Beckett yard's 2-year-olds, the winner is a son of the 2009 G3 Prix Miesque scorer Lixirova (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}) who cost what looks a bargain 65,000gns at the 2022 Tattersalls December Foal Sale.
📆 2010: Frankel
📆 2017: Roaring Lion
📆 2021: Coroebus
📆 2024: AnniversaryThe 65,000gns purchase joins an illustrious roll of honour at @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/yioMiJQrZp
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 16, 2024
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