3 minute read
Alcohol Free takes the Sussex Stakes and Armor lands the Molecomb
Coolmore Stud’s No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) sired a stakes double at Goodwood on Wednesday with Alcohol Free (3 f ex Plying by Hard Spun) winning her third Group One race in the Sussex Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) while in the race prior, Armor (2 c ex Hestia by High Chaparral) became the 31st stakes winner for his sire when he won the Molecomb Stakes (Gr 3, 5f).
After winning the Coronation Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Royal Ascot last month, Alcohol Free finished third behind Snow Lantern (Frankel) and Mother Earth (Zoffany) in the Falmouth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Newmarket on July 9. On Wednesday, the Andrew Balding-trained Alcohol Free was settled in midfield under Oisin Murphy in the early stakes of the Sussex Stakes. She began to make her move 400 metres from home and took the lead with 200 metres left to travel and then held on well to score by a length and three quarters from the Jim Bolger-trained 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) winner Poetic Flare (Dawn Approach), who started favourite. Snow Lantern was the same distance away in third.
"This filly is something else, the way she has won that, it's simply incredible," said winning owner Jeff Smith.
"I'm thrilled to pieces, and what a wonderful job Andrew and the whole team have done.
"She's a champion. There's no question in my mind, she's the real deal."
Balding said: "Just watching her at home in the mornings is demoralising for the other horses, we have to keep swapping the lead horse because she's just so good.
"She's hardly blowing afterwards, it's just effortless for her.
"I was awful (watching the race), I was calling Oisin all sorts of names! It was a rough race and I'm sure there were hard luck stories, but I think she was easily the best horse on the day.
"It's just lovely to see her do that because we've always believed in her, it's no easy task coming and taking on the colts and the older horses and to do it in that style is just fantastic."
Looking to future plans, Balding suggested the daughter of No Nay Never could be seen on the Knavesmire next month.
He said: "We had a long debate yesterday, Mr Smith and I, about spending five grand of his hard-earned (money) keeping her in the Juddmonte (International).
"It's a mile and a quarter, it's a big ask, but as Jeff said she's won Group Ones already.
"We've got nothing to prove, but it's a possibility she may turn up there."
In the race prior, No Nay Never's son Armor was impressive in landing his first victory at stakes level. After breaking his maiden over five furlongs at Doncaster in April, Armor finished fifth behind Chipotle (Havana Gold) in the Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed, 5f) at Royal Ascot last month.
On Wednesday, the Richard Hannon-trained Armor raced prominently towards the near side under jockey Ryan Moore. Asked for his run with 200 metres left to travel, he quickened impressively to take the lead and pulled away to score by three and a quarter lengths over the favourite Fearby (Havana Gold). Boonie (Brazen Beau), who had finished third in the Windsor Castle Stakes occupied the same position, another three quarters of a length away.
"I've not made too many flash entries for him, but we'll look at something like the Morny now, Flying Childers,” said Hannon.
"He should (make a nice three-year-old), he's not a big horse and this is his year right now.
"If that happens, great, but he's doing enough right now.
"He'll get six, you have to go six if you're going to go up."
Bought by Al Shaqab Racing for €55,000 at last year’s Arqana Deauville October Yearling Sale and he has now won two of his three career starts. He is one of two winners out of the winning High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells) mare Hestia.
No Nay Never stood for a fee of €125,000 at Coolmore Stud this year, down from €175,000 the year prior, and has sired two other Group One winners to date in Ten Sovereigns and Brooke.
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 28, 2021
Armor (No Nay Never) is a sparkling winner of the Molecomb for Ryan Moore, @rhannonracing and @AlShaqabRacing #QGF @Goodwood_Races pic.twitter.com/VeuCpMEqkC
