Spirited does it in style at Newmarket

Progressive filly Spirited Style took the step up to Listed level in her stride with a comfortable victory in the Ric And Mary Hambro Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket, UK, on Saturday, 19 July.

The daughter of Sea The Stars and three-time G1 winner Wild Illusion was looking to follow up an easy maiden win at Haydock Park and soon settled in a close sixth as Kate O’Riley and Jane Temple established a clear lead over the field.

Spirited Style travelled strongly into the race when the front two came back to the field approaching the final quarter-mile and the Charlie Appleby-trained three-year-old took up the running a furlong and a half from home.

Sueno gave chase but could not get on terms with Spirited Style, who saw out the mile and a half well under Billy Loughnane to prevail by a length and three-quarters.

Billy Loughnane said: “Spirited Style is improving with each run and enjoyed the soft ground today. I hit the front a little sooner than ideal, but I didn’t want to get boxed in. The horse in front wasn’t taking me anywhere and I was aware of the horses behind me that we going to get going, so I had to move a little sooner than ideal. She would have probably been a more impressive winner had I not had to do that.

“It’s great to put these colours on – every time you put them on your back, you grow an inch – and I can’t thank Mr Appleby enough. William Buick always gives me a lot of advice coming onto these horses.”