By Tom Frary
Compensating for her agonising reversal in the Royal meeting's G3 Albany Stakes, Al Shaqab Racing's acquisition Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}–Cashla Bay {GB}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) got up late to break her maiden in style in Saturday's G3 Princess Margaret Stakes back at Ascot. Third on debut at York behind the high-class Arabie (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) prior to her standard-setting Albany performance behind Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), the 11-8 favourite was held up early by Ryan Moore who had already ridden the opening race's winner.
Staying on strongly as Mandurah (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) took over inside the final two furlongs, the star of the Ollie Sangster stable overhauled Betty Clover (GB) (Time Test {GB}) close home for a neck success, with half a length back to Tales Of The Heart (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in third as the tiring Mandurah ended up fourth. “It's a real privilege to have Al Shaqab in the stable and great to get off to a good start for them,” Sangster said. “She's a filly we've always held in high regard and this is a fantastic result. We've got a small team and everyone works really hard.”
Sangster, who had enjoyed listed success in Thursday's Star Stakes with Celestial Orbit (GB) (No Nay Never), added, “I think she has won it nicely in the end, despite having a few traffic problems and hopefully she will take another step forward–Ryan said he thinks she will and said she was still a bit green coming through horses there. Ryan said he would advise going up to seven furlongs next time, so we will have to have a look at the schedule.”
“Both Simmering and Celestial Orbit showed up sort of together in the spring and did a lot of work together, so that gave me a bit of extra confidence coming into today after the filly won well on Thursday. They are both different types of filly, but it's nice to have them in the yard and connections like that in the yard–it will be nice to see them get their heads in front again.”
Of the Al Shaqab purchase investment, he added, “The ownership changed at about half past nine on Thursday and it was pretty manic in the office. I've grown up watching Al Shaqab and Sheikh Joaan's good horses like Toronado and Treve and all those other good horses, so for them to buy into a horse in our yard is a privilege.”
Al Shaqab's racing manager Alison Begley added, “We have had an eye on her since Ascot and then it was a case of getting our ducks in a row. The form was there in the book and she was sort of the obvious one, so I'm delighted it's worked out well for everybody. Ryan was saying there that he thinks the Breeders' Cup would be ideal. She's got speed, but he thinks she will be better again stepping up to seven furlongs–obviously Del Mar is a very sharp mile. That would be very long term and we would have to speak to the Al Shaqab team and everything and see where we go, but I think quick ground will be key to her.”
Simmering comes to the boil late on to grab the Princess Margaret Stakes at @Ascot for Ryan Moore and @OllieSangster… pic.twitter.com/1wxz2TVX15
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 27, 2024
Pedigree Notes
Simmering, who is the eighth group winner for her second-crop sire, is out of Cashla Bay whose dam Rose Blossom (GB) (Pastoral Pursuits {GB}) annexed the G3 Summer Stakes. Her yearling colt by Time Test (GB), while she also has a filly foal by Harry Angel (Ire).
Saturday, Ascot, Britain
SODEXO LIVE! PRINCESS MARGARET STAKES-G3, £65,000, Ascot, 7-27, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:15.17, g/f.
1–SIMMERING (GB), 128, f, 2, by Too Darn Hot (GB)
1st Dam: Cashla Bay (GB), by Fastnet Rock (Aus)
2nd Dam: Rose Blossom (GB), by Pastoral Pursuits (GB)
3rd Dam: Lamarita (GB), by Emarati
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (70,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Lofts Hall Stud (GB); T-Ollie Sangster; J-Ryan Moore. £36,862. Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-1, $84,454. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Betty Clover (GB), 128, f, 2, Time Test (GB)–Reprieval (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B/T-Eve Johnson Houghton (GB). £13,975.
3–Tales Of The Heart (Ire), 128, f, 2, Mehmas (Ire)–Shoshoni Wind (GB), by Sleeping Indian (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (400,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Andrew Rosen and Marc Chan; B-Tally Ho Stud (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett. £6,994.
Margins: NK, HF, HD. Odds: 1.38, 22.00, 5.50.
Also Ran: Mandurah (Ire), Definitive (GB), Alice Fairfax (GB), Handcuffed (GB), Aviation Time (Ire). Scratched: Miss El Fundi (GB).
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