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David Menuisier’s Tamfana gained a well-deserved Group 1 victory in Saturday’s Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.
Winner of a Group 3 in France as a juvenile, Tamfana came into her Classic season with a well-beaten third on heavy ground in the Group 3 Prix Imprudence at Deauville, with connections noting she would improve for a sounder surface. The daughter of Soldier Hollow earned the accolade of 'unluckiest loser' on her subsequent start in the 1000 Guineas, with jockey Jamie Spencer unable to give the filly a clear run at the business end of the race. She flew home to finish fourth, one length, behind the re-opposing Elmalka. Tamfana arguably lost her way on her next two outings over longer distances in France, but improved for the drop back to a mile when justifying favouritism to take the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes in comfortable fashion.
In a competitive renewal of the Sun Chariot Stakes, David Menuisier's charge edged favouritism over some of her older rivals, including the Gosden duo of Inspiral and Nashwa and her Guineas conqueror Elmalka. Jockey Colin Keane kept Tamfana prominent throughout the contest, pressing early leader Darnation, before taking the lead with two furlongs to run. She had to fend off the late charge of the experienced Inspiral in the closing furlong, but stayed on well in the final stages to record a two length success. See The Fire finished third for trainer Andrew Balding and jockey Oisin Murphy.
Speaking to ITV Racing, David Menuisier said: "She did exactly what we hoped she would. We kept it simple, I said to Colin (Keane), she travels well, she quickens, keep it simple – respect the filly and she will take you there.
"For once, everything went smoothly and she really deserves this, she really does.
"This is what is great for racing. It's great to have big owners but it's also great for syndicates to be rewarded this way. The filly was bought for 20,000 euros – honestly, she's beating all those well-bred horses with the biggest owners in the UK, in the world.
"Honestly, [the Group 1 success] is a big monkey off our back. We have the big one (Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe) tomorrow, let's keep it going."
Paddy Power cut Tamfana from 14/1 to 7/1 for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day.
