By Sam Turner -
Breege sprung one of the surprises of the British flat season to upset the odds and claim the G2 City Of York Stakes.
Unconsidered in the international markets, John & Sean Quinn’s talented half-sister to The Wow Signal burst through to lead under Colin Keane before keeping on gamely to hold off Dubai Carnival winner Vafortino.
The win may have come as a surprise to most onlookers but connections were confident of a bold showing.
John Quinn said: “We worked her last Monday and we had her in the Celebration Mile and in this. I rang Andrew Black (owner) and I said I'm not saying she'll win but I've never seen her work as well and I said the money that York put up, which we're very, very grateful for, is immense.
“I said she's not short of speed and he said we should go to York and I'm delighted we did."
Hot favourite Audience disappointed but there were mitigating reasons according to trainer John Gosden.
He said: "He got upset in the stalls and he struck the front of the stalls a couple of times when the other one (Lake Forest) reared up. Rab (Havlin) said he wasn't himself after that, he wouldn't let down at all."
FIRE RELISHES CLASS DROP
See The Fire, a creditable runner-up in G1 company at Goodwood on her previous start went one better dropped in class to smoothly take the Strensall Stakes for rider Oisin Murphy and trainer Andrew Balding.
See The Fire's last five starts had come in top level company and she had twice excelled to make the frame prior to landing the G3 prize.
A relieved Balding said: “We’ve always thought the world of this filly. She’s beautiful to look at, she’s always worked well and I’ve just got to thank David Elsworth for retiring when he did because I’ve reaped the rewards of having the mare’s progeny!”
