Billesdon Brook Back to Best in Sun Chariot Stakes

There was no fairy-tale ending for Laurens in the Oct. 5 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) at Newmarket, as her bid to go out with a seventh group 1 triumph came to naught when outsider Billesdon Brook sprang a surprise yet again on the Rowley Mile.

Punters bought into the dream ending by making Laurens a favorite to repeat her victory of a year ago, but after leading early, the star mare owned by John Dance and trained by Karl Burke weakened to finish seventh of the nine runners.

After Laurens backed out of it, Veracious looked the likely winner until Sean Levey coaxed a winning run out of Billesdon Brook just as he had when winning last year's QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) at 66-1.

The victory was a first in the race for Richard Hannon, who has won just about everything else on the Rowley Mile. Hannon put his 16-1 winner's revival down to a change of yards.

"Form may be temporary, but class is permanent, and you don't win a Guineas and be average," Hannon said. "We've moved her from Herridge Stables to Everleigh, and the change of scene has done her good.

"As well as that, her (exercise) rider, Luke Catton, has done a good job with settling her down. That was a good performance as there were plenty fancied in it, and Sean gave her a lovely waiting ride."

As for Billesdon Brook's future, Hannon indicated he was rather keen for the Pall Mall Partners-owned 4-year-old to stay around for a while yet, although that decision rests with breeder and co-owner Jeanette McCreery.

"I would like her to stay in training for the next 20 years, but that's up to Jeanette—hopefully, she'll be around next year," the trainer joked.

Levey, who was riding his first group 1 since steering the same filly to win the Guineas, said: "It opens massive doors when you ride a group 1 winner, and it gives people the confidence to put you up. Billesdon Brook has been a great boost for my career, and hopefully we can do more of the same next year."

On runner-up Veracious, trainer Sir Michael Stoute said: "I'm delighted with that. We may give her another run. We'll see how she comes out of this and chat to connections."

As for Laurens, her owner was not present, but Burke was glowing in his praise for the 4-year-old, who won at least one group 1 in her last three seasons.

"Things have caught up with Laurens, and it's time for her to retire to the paddocks," Burke said. "But she's been an absolute superstar for us. She was very, very good and so tough. As far as looks and conformation go, she was the best."

Laurens will be retired as the winner of eight of her 17 races—six at group 1 level—and more than £1.7 million in prize money.

PJ McDonald, who rode the filly in 15 races, said: "She's been instrumental in my career in the past couple of years and taken me to places I could have only have dreamed of.

"She owes anyone who has anything to do with her nothing and has been a pleasure to be around from day one. I'll be dreaming if I thought another one like her would come into my career."