Cinderella’s Dream digs deep to claim G1 Falmouth Stakes

Cinderella’s Dream notched her first G1 success in Europe with a tenacious display in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, UK, on Friday, 11 July, handing Godolphin a first win in the mile highlight.

Last year’s G1 Belmont Oaks winner captured the G2 Dahlia Stakes on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course in May and followed up with a second in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Taking on some familiar rivals, Cinderella’s Dream raced in fifth of the eight runners under William Buick as Running Lion set even fractions.

The race developed approaching the two-furlong pole, with January making an eye-catching move towards the stands’ rail and Cinderella’s Dream launching her challenge wider on the track.

Cinderella’s Dream edged towards January as they battled it out inside the final furlong, with the daughter of Shamardal finding plenty to prevail by a half-length. In a reversal of the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes form, Crimson Advocate was almost two lengths further back in third.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “I am delighted with Cinderella’s Dream. After watching it back, I felt she might not have been 100 per cent at Royal Ascot. She was beaten too far out and I was not happy with the way she travelled. Thankfully, she came out of it fine and the team at home have done a great job. Everyone involved with her said she has been ticking all the boxes over the last 10 days or so.

“Your eye was drawn to Aidan’s filly [January], given the way she travelled into the race, but the one thing about Cinderella’s Dream is, if you put her next to one, there is no tougher filly out there. She really wants it and, once Aidan’s filly had not gone away from us, I knew our filly would see it out once she hit the rising ground.

“We are working back from the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. I am keen to get her there in great shape and make up for what happened last year. How we get there? I will let the dust settle and then work it out.”

William Buick said: “Cinderella’s Dream is class. She has been unlucky a couple of times, but today she put it all together. What a game filly she is. It was a ding-dong between two good fillies and she was giving the second 9lb, which is never easy. This is a first domestic G1 for her and I am delighted for the whole team.”