Tom Marquand’s status as a rising star within the Flat jockeys’ ranks took another step forward on Saturday when he sealed a maiden Group 1 on the William Haggas-trained Addeybb in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill.
From the outset, Marquand dictated the pace on the son of Pivotal and was being closely tracked by Very Elleegant, winner of the 2018 Australian Oaks. It was these two who would fight out the finish when they entered the home straight.
Addeybb required a high level of stoking from Marquand in the final stages of the ten-furlong contest and last year’s Champion Stakes runner-up responded in game style to grind out a half-length success over Very Elleegant.
It was Marquand’s second win on the card having partnered the Haggas-trained Young Rascal to victory in the Group 3 N E Manion Cup.
Speaking to the Australian press, Marquand said: “A Group 1 is all I’ve dreamt of since childhood, an international Group 1 even more so, and an international Group 1 on an English horse is even better.
“Addeybb was extremely tough. It’s on ground that he doesn’t really want or appreciate.”
Golden Slipper falls to Farnan
It was a memorable seventh victory in the Group 1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill on Saturday for legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse as Farnan cruised to an impressive success under Hugh Bowman.
Farnan’s success saw Waterhouse eclipse the record that had been held by her father Tommy, who had saddled six winners of the leading juvenile event.
Co-trained by Adrian Bott, Farnan led from pillar to post and was able to see off Away Game by a cosy length and three-quarters with Mamaragan back in third.
Speaking to Network Seven, as she had watched the race from home, Waterhouse said: “It’s a thrill and a relief that he’s won it – it’s an absolute dream come true.
“This is a very special race and it takes a really exceptional horse, both mentally and physically to do it.
“You saw his barrier speed, you saw his cruising speed and then the toughness in the straight when he was being attacked by all the rest of the field. But he’s just too good.”
Elsewhere at Rosehill, Dreamforce took the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes while Castelvecchio landed the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas. In the Group City Tattersalls Club Galaxy I Am Excited was a surprise winner as favourite Cosmic Force disappointed.
Ryan fractures L2 vertebra
Leading Irish apprentice Gavin Ryan will be out of action for the foreseeable future after fracturing his L2 vertebra in a fall during Dundalk’s Friday meeting.
Ryan, who is based with Donnacha O’Brien, was thrown to ground in the sixth race when his ride, Guild, appeared to clip heels with another runner and stumble. The race was subsequently voided, and Ryan was taken to Drogheda Hospital for x-rays.
Speaking to the Racing Post, Ryan said: “I’m feeling good but unfortunately I have fractured my L2 vertebrae. I will be in a back brace for six weeks.”
