Saffron Beach Impressive in Duke of Cambridge Stakes

A globetrotting campaign encompassing an across-the-channel journey to Deauville, a trip down the road to Newmarket, and a stateside mission to Keeneland awaits "special filly" Saffron Beach  after her ultra-impressive victory in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2) June 15 at Ascot Racecourse.

The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained New Bay  4-year-old defied a five-pound penalty for her top-level success in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) at Newmarket in October, and she could not have done it much easier.

It was all but over two furlongs out as William Buick's mount quickened smartly to establish an unassailable lead. As part-owner James Wigan put it, there was never a moment's worry.

A return to the Rowley Mile for a repeat Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) bid is one of three planned targets, with Saffron Beach, who finished fourth in the Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1) on her return this year, first likely to head to the Prix Rothschild (G1). A first crack at the Breeders' Cup meeting could complete her season.

Chapple-Hyam, whose previous Royal Ascot success came with Judgethemoment in the Ascot Stakes in 2009, said: "She's a special filly. We came into the race thinking it will be tough with the penalty, but she's proved just how good she is.

"It's hard going to Dubai off a winter and she was up against hardened colts and geldings and we didn't have a prep race, whereas here we went to Chelmsford and the July course and got the work in.

"The Prix Rothschild is where we're likely to go next, then the Sun Chariot, and hopefully the Breeders' Cup at the end of the year."

It was an eventful and memorable afternoon for Wigan, who celebrated Saffron Beach's success having witnessed Bay Bridge , who he owns with Ballylinch Stud, finish a length second to State of Rest  in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) just 40 minutes earlier.

Wigan said: "It's the ups and downs of ownership. Bay Bridge ran a great race in defeat and Saffron Beach did it very well and seems to be improving all the time.

"We didn't have a moment's worry there and it was great to watch. I was a bit worried about the five-pound penalty beforehand—it seemed a little unfair—but thankfully she's a big, strong girl and coped with it well." 

Buick had only previously ridden Saffron Beach in the Sun Chariot and maintained the perfect record, putting three and a half lengths between his mount and the keeping-on 40-1 shot Thunder Beauty  in second. Primo Bacio  was a head back in third.

"She won the Sun Chariot last year and, dare I say it, feels better this year. She's a credit to the team and it's not easy to carry a group 1 penalty. It's fantastic for Jane and you've got to enjoy these moments," said Buick.

"She got a nice lead for the first half of the race and was in a nice rhythm. I kicked pretty early because she does stay the mile well and it was a smooth success. She's done that really well."