Old Allies Land Sun Chariot with Fonteyn

Nearly nine years after registering his last group 1 success on British soil, jockey Neil Callan was back winning at the highest level as Fonteyn  sprang a 16-1 surprise Oct. 1 in the Royal Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G1).

The former Hong Kong-based rider last dined at the top table when Astaire  won the Vision.ae Middle Park Stakes (G1) in 2013 and was renewing old acquaintances, as the trainer of both is Kevin Ryan.

A daughter of Farhh , Fonteyn had won only at listed level but proved her class when getting a great run up the rail to nail the supplemented Laurel , trained by John and Thady Gosden, and her stablemate Grande Dame .

Of the big guns in the race, favorite and last year's winner Saffron Beach  folded and beat only one home, while second favorite Homeless Songs  looked all at sea on the good-to-soft ground when trailing home in seventh.

"It's ironic this race is sponsored by Bahrain as I fly out there tonight to ride for His Highness Sheikh Sultan," Callan said. "To ride a group 1 winner anywhere is great, but you need a bit of luck.

"Kevin said he'd like to put me on a good filly one day and this was it. He told me to jump and get Fonteyn to relax, and if not, then just let her have her head and let her slide along."

On his connection with Ryan and his win on Astaire, he added: "It's funny because that was the last season before I decided to go to Hong Kong full-time. I finished off Britain in strong fashion then, but when you come back you have to establish yourself. You need connections like Kevin to give you the pick-up and opportunities."

He added: "Any group 1 wherever you get it, is big, but it's more important I won it for Kevin. We go back a long way and it's a good partnership. I'm glad it's back."

Liam O'Rourke, representing winning owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, said: "We came here hoping for a place, but to win it is amazing. She ran well when fourth at Goodwood in the Nassau, but she may well have had a harder race than we thought that day, which is why she ran a bit flat at Sandown last time.

"She had a great sit on the rail and Neil settled her beautifully, and she came through nicely to win. I think the original plan after this was to retire her at the end of this season, but there may well be a rethink after that."

The previously unbeaten Laurel had been supplemented into the race at a cost of £20,000 and looked likely to win when hitting the front in the Dip, but had to settle for second.  

Joint-trainer John Gosden said: "Both fillies have run very good races. Quite frankly, Laurel has never been off the bridle in her life and was a bit confused as to what was required, but has run a massive race in her first group 1. Grande Dame ran a lovely race from her draw close to the rail and we're delighted with them."