Saturday, October 20, 2012

Sapphire draws clear in British Champions Fillies' and Mares' Stakes

The well-regarded filly Sapphire battled to the front inside the final four hundred meters and drew off late to win the $414,500 British Champions Fillies' and Mares' Stakes (Eng-II) on Saturday at Ascot by 2 1/4 lengths.

With jockey Pat Smullen aboard, Sapphire settled back into mid-pack early on behind a slow pace, then accelerated in the straight to challenge Shirocco Star for the lead. The two fillies engaged in an impressive battle for another hundred meters or so before Sapphire got the better of her rival and draw away late. The final time for twelve furlongs on soft turf was 2:37.32 seconds.

Dancing Star finished 2 3/4 lengths behind Shirocco Star in third, followed by Great Heavens, Semayyel, Testosterone, Was, Jehannedarc, Vow, and La Pomme D'Amour.

The winner is a four-year-old daughter of Medicean out of the Danehill mare Polished Gem. She is trained by Dermot Weld owned by Moyglare Stud Farm.

-Keelerman

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