Dubai: History was made at Royal Ascot on Tuesday when American mare Tepin became the first-ever overseas trained horse to win the Group 1 £600,000 Queen Anne Stakes, the opening race at the five-day extravaganza which is traditionally contested by Europe’s top older milers.
Godolphin’s Belardo ran a huge race in defeat under James Doyle to finish half a length behind the winner, while Lightning Spear, the mount of Oisin Murphy was third, a further length and a quarter further back.
Ridden by French-born jockey Julien Leparoux, the Breeders’ Cup Turf (Group 1) filly showed class and courage to overcome unfamiliar soft ground and conditions to beat her 13 rivals from four different countries in a race of the highest calibre.
“It’s just amazing, she’s a champion and she proved it today,” said Leparoux. “She had to work hard, for sure, as the last 100 metres was a long way to go.
“I’m just glad we got it done.”
