Arabian Story delivers in Britannia Stakes thriller

Arabian Story made the leap from maiden success to heritage handicap glory with an exhilarating victory in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot, UK, on Thursday, 19 June. 

Making his turf debut on the back of a decisive all-weather win at Chelmsford, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained colt was prominent throughout from his high draw and soon tracked the leading duo of Wolf Of Badenoch and The Lost King on the stands’ rail. 

Arabian Story quickened well for Oisin Murphy approaching the final furlong and went on with Fearnot and Dividend in the closing strides. La Botte flew home but could only get to within a neck of the Godolphin three-year-old at the line. 

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Arabian Story pleased me at Chelmsford, and we thought ‘let's go to Royal Ascot’. I talked to Oisin and said this is a mile-and-a-quarter horse, so you have to be handy with him over the mile. He gave him a good ride. 

“He is still improving. We will find a race for him now, maybe at Group level. I talked to Oisin after the race and he said to me that the horse is Group class.” 

Oisin Murphy added: “Arabian Story is quite lazy, but he was very good at Chelmsford. He got a little bit of experience in Dubai on the dirt, which he didn’t enjoy but made him tough. I was delighted with his attitude today. 

“He will be a Group Three horse going a mile and a quarter. He was the first one off the bridle, and it’s very hard to win at Ascot on the straight course when that happens, so he’s got a fair level of ability. It is lovely to win one for Saeed.”