Saturday 17th October
He's a champion! Twice Over (pink cap) holds on for glory in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes
A PACKED house, a fabulous atmosphere and the most fantastic racing. Champions' Day 2009 had it all.
The highest-quality day in British Flat racing lived up to all expectations as the Rowley Mile - scene of so many famous races - witnessed magnificent action on an afternoon to remember.
The feature, the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, provided a hugely popular winner in the shape of Twice Over, trained by a horseracing legend, Henry Cecil.
Ridden by Tom Queally, it was a first triumph at the top level for the son of Observatory, who was second to New Approach in this contest twelve months ago.
Khalid Abdulla’s colt, sent off at 14/1, was settled in midfield by jockey Queally, who still had plenty of horse beneath him when taking over from Fame And Glory inside the final two furlongs.
He stayed on well up the Hill to repel the late challenges of Sariska and Mawatheeq to score by half a length, giving Cecil his third win in the renowned 1m 2f contest.
A delighted Cecil said of his 14/1 winner: “I think he’s a better horse than last year. He’s improved with age and has gained some confidence.
“He’s been working very well but we were slightly concerned that the ground might be a bit quick as he’s better on a softer surface.
“The Prince has been a great supporter of mine over the years so this is great and I’d like to thank him very much.”
Beethoven landed the other Group 1 on the card, the Jumeirah Dewhurst Stakes, for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore.
The son of Oratorio was regarded as the stable’s third string but came under a typically strong drive from Ryan Moore to land the spoils at odds of 33/1.
O’Brien, who was registering his second Dewhurst success following Rock of Gibraltar in 2001, said: “He’s a very tough horse who’s getting better with every race. My son Joseph rode him in the week and said the visor may sharpen him up. He is improving all the time and I am delighted.”
Akmal gave trainer John Dunlop his 250th winner (see latest news for more) at Newmarket when taking the Jockey Club Cup under Richard Hills.
It all started for the Sussex trainer when Tamino won the 1966 renewal of the Palace House Stakes and since then Dunlop has not gone a season without a winner here.
Sheikh Hamdan’s son of Selkirk with his big white blaze made all but had to dig deep to hold off the owner’s other representative Nehaam.
A delighted Dunlop said: “This horse has come a long way. He stays well and has been ridden exceptionally by Richard.
“We’ll keep him in training next year and think about a Cup campaign.”
It was a case of gamble landed when Darley Sun stormed to victory in the totesport.com Cesarewitch for trainer David Simcock and jockey Andrea Atzeni.
The son of Tiger Hill was backed into 9/2 favouritism having been officially 12 pounds ‘well in’ and duly obliged in the style of top-class stayer in the making.
Atzeni had a trouble-free passage on board the favourite and got a dream run up the inside. Getting to the lead with 2f to go Darley Sun went on to romp to a five length success.
Simcock said: “It’s nice when a plan comes to fruition - it doesn’t happen very often!
“He’s a very nice horse to look forward to next year with. We’ll look at all the Cup races but the Ascot Gold Cup will be the ultimate target.”
Ashalanda was an appropriate winner of the Pride Stakes as her trainer Alain de Royer Dupre was also responsible for Pride herself, the great race-mare who bagged the 2006 renewal of the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes.
In a heartstopping climax to the 1m 4f race, the daughter of Linamix was produced fast and late by jockey Christophe Lemaire to collar favourite Crystal Capella on the line.
Royer-Dupre said: “I didn’t want to miss the race because of Pride. Ashalanda has shown she can stay. She’s a long-distance horse and that’s why we came here. She’s very fresh because she’s only run three times - she’s a new star!”
Arabian Gleam took the opening Group 2 on the card, the Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes for trainer Jeremy Noseda and jockey Johnny Murtagh.
The son of Kyllachy, a 7/1 chance, was settled on the heels of the leaders by Murtagh and always travelled well.
He was last to come off the bridle and hit the front over a furlong out. He stayed on well under pressure to score by neck.
Noseda, who also won the race in 2003 with Just James, said: “This horse tries awfully hard, that’s three seasons in a row that he has managed to win a Group 2 now.
“He’s a good solid performer. I think that’s it for him the season but I’ll speak with his owner. Then we may have a think about going to Dubai where the tapeta surface will suit.”
Trainer Mick Channon enhanced his fine record in the Lotus Evora Rockfel Stakes with Music Show giving him a third victory in seven years in the seven-furlong Group 2 event.
The Noverre filly was probably unfavourably drawn on her last start in a Group 3 at Ayr where she finished down the field.
But Jaber Abdullah’s 25/1 shot proved that run to be all wrong when she burst from off the pace under a Kieren Fallon drive to get up in the shadow of the post from Atasari.
Channon said of his 25/1 winner: “I don’t know what happened at Ayr but we never lost faith in her."
Reflecting on one of the finest afternoon's of sport you could wish to see, Newmarket’s Managing Director Stephen Wallis said: “Champions’ Day really lived up to its name. It has been a great day’s racing.”
No one in the large crowd was arguing that point as they left with memories of a golden afternoon.
By Jackie Jarvis and Tony Rushmer