History was made on both sides of the world as Sheza Alibi dominated at Flemington before Saffie Osborne broke new ground in the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster.
Across the Irish Sea, Leopardstown produced a major upset in the Irish Champion Stakes, while several of Europe’s brightest stars added further Group 1 success to their records during the opening day of the Irish Champions Festival.
Sheza Alibi Stamps Her Authority At Flemington
Australia may have another genuine superstar after Sheza Alibi produced a commanding victory in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Sent out as the $1.60 favourite, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained mare travelled comfortably for Luke Nolen before accelerating away from a quality field.
Sheza Alibi crossed the line 2¾ lengths clear of Autumn Boy, with outsider Another Wil holding third.
The four-year-old also became the first female galloper to win the race since it was elevated to Group 1 level in 2013.
It was another significant step forward following her Doncaster Mile success earlier in the year and her first-up second behind Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes.
Connections must now decide whether to remain on a path towards the Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick or consider a tilt at the Cox Plate (2040m), which will be staged at Flemington this year.
Osborne Creates History In St Leger
Saffie Osborne became the first female jockey to win a British Classic after partnering Highwayman to victory in the Group 1 St Leger Stakes (2921m) at Doncaster.
The 24-year-old produced a composed ride aboard the Joseph O’Brien-trained colt, who continued his rapid improvement over longer distances.
Starting at odds of 12.00, Highwayman powered clear in the closing stages to defeat stablemate Enceladus by 2½ lengths, completing a memorable quinella for O’Brien.
The result was particularly significant as it came in the 250th running of the world’s oldest Classic.
Osborne had only secured the ride earlier in the week, but she made the most of the opportunity to register her first Group 1 victory and secure her place in British racing history.
Derby winner and race favourite Christmas Day was unable to make an impact, finishing ninth.
Hotazhell Lands Irish Champion Stakes Thriller
The opening day of the Irish Champions Festival delivered a huge result when Hotazhell landed the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) at Leopardstown.
Starting as a 51.00 outsider, the Jessica Harrington-trained runner was brought into the contest by Shane Foley before hitting the front late.
Wimbledon Hawkeye finished powerfully on the outside, but Hotazhell held on by a nose after a lengthy photo finish. Favourite Constitution River was another three-quarters of a length away in third.
The victory confirmed that Hotazhell’s previous Group 1 success in Germany was no fluke and continued a strong season for the durable four-year-old.
Harrington indicated that the British Champion Stakes at Ascot could be his final start before retirement to stud.
Blue Bolt Extends Group 1 Winning Streak
Outstanding mare Blue Bolt completed a Group 1 hat-trick with an authoritative performance in the Group 1 Matron Stakes (1600m).
Colin Keane positioned the Andrew Balding-trained mare just behind the leaders before finding clear running room in the straight.
Once asked to quicken, Blue Bolt took control and opened up inside the final 100 metres, defeating City Of Memphis by 2¼ lengths. Fallen Angel filled third position.
The result was Blue Bolt’s fifth consecutive victory and followed her earlier Group 1 triumphs in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket and Prix Rothschild at Deauville.
Her latest performance further strengthened her position among Europe’s leading female milers.
Darkness Falls Announces Himself
Promising juvenile Darkness Falls continued his rapid rise by winning the newly upgraded Group 1 Golden Fleece Stakes (1600m).
The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt arrived at Leopardstown following an impressive Curragh victory and handled the rise in class with another professional performance.
His victory established him as one of Ireland’s leading two-year-old prospects and added another potential Classic contender to the powerful Ballydoyle team for next season.
Comanche Brave Produces Flying Finish
July Cup winner Comanche Brave added another major sprint to his record with a brilliant late burst in the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes (1000m).
The Donnacha O’Brien-trained sprinter was travelling strongly under Billy Loughnane but remained trapped behind runners approaching the final furlong.
A gap eventually appeared inside the final 100 metres and Comanche Brave accelerated through it, quickly sweeping past American Affair to win by 1¼ lengths. Rumstar finished another half-length away in third.
The victory was particularly impressive as it came on his first attempt over the minimum distance.
It also earned Comanche Brave an automatic place in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, with connections considering trips to both Keeneland and Hong Kong later in the year.
Folsom Blues Runs Away With National Stakes
A powerful finishing performance saw Folsom Blues announce himself as a serious Classic prospect in the Group 1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (1400m).
The Joseph O’Brien-trained colt travelled comfortably for Joey Sheridan before taking control approaching the final 200 metres.
From there, Folsom Blues stretched clear of the field to defeat stablemate Monogram by six lengths, completing a one-two finish for the O’Brien stable. Florida Bay finished third.
Runner-up to Sun Goddess in the Phoenix Stakes at his previous appearance, the return to 1400 metres brought out significant improvement from the son of Blue Point.
The Dewhurst Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf are among the options now available to connections.
Scandinavia Reigns Supreme In Irish St Leger
Europe’s dominant stayer Scandinavia extended his winning sequence to eight with another relentless performance in the Group 1 Irish St Leger (2800m).
Ryan Moore tracked stablemate Queenstown before asking the odds-on favourite to take control inside the final 400 metres.
Scandinavia initially had to work to gain the upper hand but was drawing clear near the finish, defeating Queenstown by two lengths. Jan Brueghel finished another three-quarters of a length away as Aidan O’Brien trained the first three horses home.
The four-year-old has now won five Group 1 races during his remarkable sequence, including the English St Leger, two editions of the Goodwood Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup and now the Irish St Leger.
His latest success completed an outstanding afternoon for the O’Brien family, with Aidan winning through Sun Goddess and Scandinavia, Donnacha striking with Comanche Brave and Joseph taking the National Stakes with Folsom Blues.
While several autumn options remain available, Aidan O’Brien suggested Scandinavia could be rested and prepared for another assault on the Ascot Gold Cup next year.
By Scott Bailey
