Pierre Royal Stuns Field in Cambridgeshire Handicap
An eleventh-hour decision by trainer Ado McGuinness proved pivotal as Pierre Royal delivered a significant upset in the bet365 Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket.
Pierre Royal, a four-year-old and the sole Irish contender, secured a dramatic victory at odds of 33/1 in the bet365 Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket. Initially available at 66/1 in the morning, the horse finished strongly under jockey Mikey Sheehy to narrowly defeat Crest Of Fire.
Trainer Ado McGuinness made the decision to enter Pierre Royal into the Heritage handicap only on the Monday prior to the race, and booked Sheehy, whom he described as a "lucky mascot," on Thursday. "He's a top-class rider and one of the top lads at home. I'm delighted I got him," McGuinness stated. He explained that he wanted a jockey who had been lucky for him and that Sheehy followed instructions precisely.
McGuinness added that the race represented the horse's "only chance of getting another good run into him this year." He also noted that Pierre Royal is an easy horse to train, traveling well and maintaining a good appetite.
Earlier on the card, Sun Goddess, trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, set a course record in the Tattersalls Cheveley Park Stakes. The filly, purchased for £120,000 as a yearling, recorded her sixth win of the season and third Group 1 success. Following this performance, she was installed as the 7/4 favorite for next season's Betfred 1000 Guineas.
O'Brien hailed Sun Goddess as an "incredible filly" and a "freak" for her performance. He also celebrated a victory in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes with Haffner.
The Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes was won by Clive Cox-trained Orthodox, with Rossa Ryan in the saddle. This marked a third success for Cox in the race and a second for owner Jason Goddard, who previously won with Supremacy in 2020.