Qirat produces history in Sussex Stakes
In an incredible upset to Wednesday’s Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, the Ralph Beckett-trained Qirat became the highest-priced Group 1 winner in the UK in the 21st century when he ran out victorious at a price of 150-1.
Ridden by Richard Kingscote, the four-year-old gelding — who had been supplemented to the contest for a fee of £70,000 (approx. AU$143,990) — produced a huge career-best as he tracked the front-running Serengeti (Wootton Bassett) before pouncing with over a furlong left to run.
Hard ridden by Kingscote inside the closing stages, Qirat held out by a neck over the three-time Group 1 winner Rosallion (Blue Point) — who finished very strongly. Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Henri Matisse (Wootton Bassett) ran a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
Irish 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) and St James’s Palace Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) scorer Field Of Gold (Kingman) — who was sent off the long odds-on favourite –- ran a further length and a quarter back in fourth, while Queen Anne Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) hero Docklands (Massaat) finished fifth and Ciaron Maher’s Carl Spackler (Lope De Vega) sixth, both beaten less than six lengths at the line.
“It’s turning into a cracking year,” winning rider Kingscote said. “Ultimately, we were there as a helping hand to go an even gallop and we were somewhat ignored early then took a lead off Wayne [Lordan on Serengeti].
“This horse likes the track and Ralph said even though we’re here to help he can do his best. I feel like a villain, but when I saw it wasn’t a grey nose coming towards me I kept going.”
Qirat’s success came at just his second-ever attempt at stakes level, his only other coming when second in the Robin Hood Stakes (Listed, 1m 0.5f) last October.
The 2010 Nunthorpe Stakes (Gr 1, 5f) winner Sole Power (Kyllachy) is the only other top-flight winner in the UK during the 21st century to come at three-figure odds when he defeated Starspangledbanner (Choisir) at odds of 100-1.