EARTHLIGHT REMAINS UNBEATEN WINNING THE MIDDLE PARK STAKES, GR.1

The Gr.1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket was robbed of one of its leading lights as Siskin (First Defence) reared over in the stalls and was withdrawn but, such was the depth of quality of the race, another shone and Andre Fabre’s Earthlight prevailed to remain unbeaten.

Another top-class unbeaten son of Shamardal, the other being the exceptional Pinatubo, Earthlight announced himself on the global stage when winning the Gr.1 Prix Morny in August, adding to his maiden, conditions and Gr.3 Prix de Cabourg wins earlier in the season. His unbeaten record now stands at five and he will return to the Rowley Mile for the Gr.1 2000 Guineas in May.

In this six-furlong contest, King Neptune (War Front) broke smartly and led the way down the centre of the course, tracked by Mums Tipple (Footstepsinthesand), with Golden Horde (Lethal Force) in company nearer the stands-side rail. As the race heated up entering the final quarter of a mile, the market principles failed to make much impression on the race, with the exception of Earthlight, who really got motoring once meeting the rising ground. He found a determined rival in Golden Horde in the closing stages, but prevailed by a neck. Summer Sands (Coach House), who was sent off 100/1, ran on well to pip the long-time leader King Neptune for third, a length and three quarters further back.

Speaking after the race, Andre Fabre said: “I was very confident all of the way, he travelled very easily, they went a pace that suited him and he always looked to have something under the saddle, so I was confident.” When asked whether he sees the colt as a miler for the future, Fabre replied assuredly, saying: “For sure, indeed he could even go that bit further on pedigree. The Guineas will be his target. I thought this was a bit sharp for him, but he has a lot of class. “Sheikh Mohammed is a sportsman, so I don’t think he will mind running Earthlight against Pinatubo, but it is something that we will obviously have to discuss in the future. “I wanted to give him experience on the course, but this is a nice race to win as well. He will have a prep race before the Guineas. He is a very stocky horse that would need a run before a big target like that.

Earthlight is the first foal out of the Gr.1 Fillies’ Mile third Winters Moon (New Approach), a half-sister to the Gr.1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud victor Mandaean (Manduro) and the Gr.1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Wavering (Refuse To Bend), out of the Gr.3 winner Summertime Legacy (Darshaan), from the family of the Gr.1 Derby winner Golden Fleece.

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