St James's Palace Stakes
QuinnBet
(British Champions Series)
Group 1, Ascot 16:20
£405,315 added,
3yo only, 1m, Class 1  
Tuesday 16th June 2015

1 Gleneagles 8/15F
2 Latharnach 25/1
3 Consort 6/1
NR: Belardo (IRE)
5 ran Distances: 2½l, ½l, 2¾l
TIME 1m 38.86s (fast by 0.74s)

Gleneagles becomes only the third horse to win the English 2000 Guineas, the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes

Gleneagles
© Caroline Norris
Gleneagles

Dual Guineas winner Gleneagles had little more than an exercise gallop to win today's Group One St James's Palace Stakes.

He won by two and a half lengths and half a length from Latharnach and Consort, although it was disappointing that French Guineas winner Make Believe ran below par and finished last of the five runners. On today's evidence Gleneagles is the best three-year-old miler in Europe.

The winner was ridden by Ryan Moore, who has become no.1 jockey at the Ballydoyle Stables of trainer Aidan O'Brien, although the former first-choice, O'Brien's son Joseph, remains a key player in Gleneagles' career, and rides him every day.

Aidan said: "Joseph said before the race that he had him better today than at any stage, which was pleasing to hear. He does everything with the horse and he wouldn't say that lightly.

"He had him very well at Newmarket for the Guineas, but we couldn't train him real hard for the Curragh, so just ticked him over and then revved him up today. He gets a bit hot before he runs and is a warm-blooded horse, but he takes everything in his stride.

"He's very like Giants Causeway in that he's got the same constitution, but he has more speed. You rode Giants Causeway near the pace and would grind it out, but this horse can relax and quicken. I don't think we've had a miler as good as him. As a two-year-old he was never going to get up the ratings because he only would only do the minimum - today I was surprised he won by two and a half lengths.

"If it was lovely ground at Goodwood you would want to see him run there [against older milers for the first time in the Qatar Sussex Stakes] and then he could run over ten furlongs if the lads decide that's what they want to do."

This was O'Brien's seventh win in the St James's Palace Stakes, but he played down his role, saying: "I'm just a small part of a very big team, and privileged to be able to play a part. I'm getting older now and the younger lads are coming on. I'm watching more and going with the flow. I'm 45 now and it's great to see younger people coming along and taking responsiblity and the pressure. So many people make it happen.

"I only look on - I just stand at the top of the gallops and watch the work, which is good for me, and a lot less pressure."

Latharnach, who finished two and a half lengths behind Gleneagles, was having his second start of the season after finishing runner-up in a Listed race at Newmarket on May 16.

His trainer Charlie Appleby said: "We're delighted. We set our stall out that we'd sit out the back and let the race unfold in front of us. Today was a learning curve about what level we can step up to. He saw out the mile well there and he's obviously shown a good level of ability, so he's got an array of options.

"We'll let the horse come out of the race and see where we are. When you finish second behind a horse who has won two Guineas [Gleneagles], I'll be happy enough to say that we'll be confident in taking our chances in a Group One again, for sure. It would be an easier route if we could avoid Gleneagles, though."

Latharnach's jockey William Buick said: "We always thought a lot of him. He needed his first run at Newmarket and that was a great run coming back there. He battled and he is up against Gleneagles, who is in a different class, but he was a good second."

Harry Herbert, manager of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, who own third-placed Consort, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled. As Frankie [Dettori, who rode Consort] said, it wasn't quite the plan - we thought we'd get a lead from the French horse [Make Believe], but we're over the moon, it's a terrific effort, even if we're a bit frustrated to be run out of it close home for second.

"For an inexperienced horse it was a terrific run, and Frankie said he's a really lovely horse and there's so much more improvement to come. He's not there physically yet and it was a tough ask for a horse who has only had two runs previously to have to be in front with that sort of opposition. We know we've got one to go to war with.

"Sir Michael says his instinct tells him to just back off the horse, so we may give him a bit of time off. His future is all ahead of him. It's such a thrill to come here with a syndicate-owned horse and run so well in a Group One."

Dettori said: "He has done really well. He took the step up in class well and he just lacked the mileage on his clock. He needs a bit more experience, but he is a super horse."

St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1)
£405,315 added, 3yo only, 1m, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Good to Firm

Pos Draw Dist Horse SP Jockey Weight Trainer Age
1st (5) Gleneagles (IRE) 8/15f R L Moore
9-0
A P O'Brien 3
2nd (3) Latharnach (USA) 25/1 W Buick
9-0
C Appleby 3
3rd (6) ½ Consort (IRE) 6/1 L Dettori
9-0
Sir Michael Stoute 3
4th (2) Aktabantay 40/1 James Doyle
9-0
H Palmer 3
5th (4) 7 Make Believe 3/1 O Peslier
9-0
A Fabre 3
NR (1) Belardo (IRE) 25/1 James Doyle
9-0
R Varian 3

Quinnbet

THE ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES
Past Results

2014-WINNER-KINGMAN 3-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-James Doyle; SP-8/11 Fav
2ND-Night Of Thunder 3-9-00 Owner-Saeed Manana; Trainer-Richard Hannon snr; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-3/1
3RD-Outstrip 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Charlie Appleby; Jockey-William Buick; SP-33/1
7 ran; Time-1m 39.06s; Dist-2¼, 1

2013-WINNER-DAWN APPROACH 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Jim Bolger IRE; Jockey-Kevin Manning; SP-5/4 Fav
2ND-Toronado 3-9-00 Owner-Sheikh Joann bin Hamad Al Thani; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-5/1
3RD-Mars 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP- 10/1
9 ran; Time-1m 39.23s; Dist-sh, 2¾

2012-WINNER-MOST IMPROVED 3-9-00 Owner-Iraj Parvizi; Trainer-Brian Meehan; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-9/1
2RD-Hermival 3-9-00 Owner-H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani; Trainer-Mikel Delzangles FR; Jockey-Gregory Benoist;
SP-9/1
3RD-Gregorian 3-9-00 Owner-H R H Princess Haya of Jordan; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-14/1
16 ran; Time-1m 40.14s; Dist-¾, hd 11/4 Fav Power (12th)

2011-WINNER-FRANKEL 3-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Henry Cecil; Jockey-Tom Queally; SP-30/100 Fav
2ND-Zoffany 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-
20/1
3RD-Excelebration 3-9-00 Owner-Giuliano Manfredini; Trainer-Marco Botti; Jockey-Adam Kirby; SP-10/1
9 ran; Time-1m 39.24s; Dist-¾, 1½

2010-WINNER-CANFORD CLIFFS 3-9-00 Owner-Heffer Syndicate, Susan Roy & Mrs Instance; Trainer-Richard Hannon;
Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-11/4 Jt Fav
2ND-Dick Turpin 3-9-00 Owner-John Manley; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-5/1
3RD-Hearts Of Fire 3-9-00 Owner-Pat Eddery Racing (Detroit); Trainer-Pat Eddery; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-33/1
9 ran; Time-1m 39.55s; Dist-1, ¾ 11/4 Jt Fav Makfi (7th)

2009- WINNER-MASTERCRAFTSMAN 3-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-5/6 Fav
2ND-Delegator 3-9-00 Owner-Poilin Good; Trainer-Brian Meehan; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-4/1
3RD-Lord Shanakill 3-9-00 Owner: Mogeely Stud & Mark Gittins; Trainer: Karl Burke; Jockey-Jim Crowley; SP-20/1
10 ran; Time: 1m 39.21s; Dist-nk, 1½

2008-WINNER-HENRYTHENAVIGATOR 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh;
SP-4/7 Fav
2ND-Raven’s Pass 3-9-00 Owner-Stonerside Stable LLC; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-7/1
3RD-Twice Over 3-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Henry Cecil; Jockey-Ted Durcan; SP-8/1
8 ran, Time-1m 38.7s, Dist-¾, 2½

2007-WINNER-EXCELLENT ART 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-8/1
2ND-Duke Of Marmalade 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Michael Kinane;
SP-11/1
3RD-Astronomer Royal 3-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-
Colm O’Donoghue; SP-14/1
8 ran, Time-1m 39.33s, Dist-nk, 1¼ Evens Fav Cockney Rebel (5th)

2006-WINNER-ARAAFA 3-9-00 Owner-Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar; Trainer-Jeremy Noseda; Jockey-Alan Munro;
SP-2/1 Fav
2ND-Stormy River 3-9-00 Owner-Ecurie Mister Ess AS; Trainer-Nicolas Clement FR; Jockey-Olivier Peslier; SP-7/2
3RD-Ivan Denisovich 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Mr & Mrs Irving Cowan; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE;
Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-13/2
11 ran, Time-1m 39.59s, Dist-2, 1¾

2005-WINNER-SHAMARDAL 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Kerrin McEvoy; SP-7/4 Fav
2ND-Ad Valorem 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Michael Kinane; SP-8/1
3RD-Oratorio 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-6/1
8 ran, Time-1m 37.18s Dist-3, 1¾ (run at York)

2004-WINNER-AZAMOUR 3-9-00 Owner-H H Aga Khan; Trainer-John Oxx IRE; Jockey-Michael Kinane; SP-9/2
2ND-Diamond Green 3-9-00 Owner-Lagardere Family; Trainer-Andre Fabre FR; Jockey-Gary Stevens; SP-10/1
3RD-Antonius Pius 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-7/1
11 ran, Time-1m 39.02s Dist-nk, ¾ 6/4 Fav Haafhd (4th)

2003-WINNER-ZAFEEN 3-9-00 Owner-Jaber Abdullah; Trainer-Mick Channon; Jockey-Darryll Holland; SP-8/1
2ND-Kalaman 3-9-00 Owner H H Aga Khan; Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-5/2 Fav
3RD-Martillo 3-9-00 Owner-Gestut Hony-Hof; Trainer-Ralf Suerland GER; Jockey-William Mongil; SP-12/1
11 ran, Time-1m 39.91s Dist-1, 3