3 minute read

Dual Australian elite level winner lands Champion Stakes

After conquering the Australian Autumn carnival earlier in the year when landing the Ranvet Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m), the William Haggas-trained Addeybb (6 g Pivotal - Bush Cat by Kingmambo) finally got his head in front in his native land when he went one better than his finishing position 12 months ago to win the Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 1m2f) at Ascot on Saturday.

Addeybb, partnered by his regular rider Tom Marquand, was always up the front setting a decent gallop in the early stages. Clearly relishing the wet conditions, Addeybb found another level in the straight to come away with a two and a quarter length win over French raider Skalleti (Kendargent). Magical (Galileo) - who was aiming for back-to-back wins in the Group 1 was another half a length further back in third. 

"What a credit to the whole team at home," said Marquand. "He's gone to Australia and conquered down under and now he's come back and got his Group 1 here. He deserved that so much because he's been knocking on the door and shows he's a champion but never had his day. Now he's got it. 

"He travelled like a true good horse throughout the race and when I started getting going at the bottom of the straight it's remarkable because he goes over ground as bad as you can get and makes it feel like quick ground. That's why he's so good on it."

Meanwhile, Haggas was equally effusive in his praise for the son of Pivotal (Polar Falcon). 

"He's a marvellous horse and he was really up for it today. He was fantastic and I'm absolutely thrilled for everyone. That was great.

"He was in a great position and he stays, he's tough. He loved the ground and loves it here too."

Addeybb is out of Bush Cat (Kingmambo) making him a half-brother to Grade 3-placed Meer Kat (Red Ransom) as well as five other winners. 

Bush Cat herself is out of German Listed winner Arbusha (Danzig), making her a half-sister to Listed winner Busha’ (Mercer Mill) and Rip ‘N’ Run (Mercer Mill). 

Further back this is the same family as Group 1 scorer Strategic Choice (Alleged) and Group 2 winner Nicholas (Danzig). 

Pivotal (Polar Falcon) enjoyed a good day at Ascot adding a 32nd Group 1 winner to his tally when Glen Shiel landed the British Champions Sprint Stakes (Gr 1, 6f), while the gelding is one of five stakes winners, headed by two Group 1 winners bred on the Pivotal / Kingmambo (Mr. Prospector) cross with the other elite level scorer being Regal Parade. 

Anything @HollieDoyle1 can do… @TomMarquand and Addeybb win the QIPCO Champion Stakes! @Ascot pic.twitter.com/8itzyq5FrZ

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 17, 2020