2018 winner – Alpha Centauri
The Coronation Stakes brings together the very best of the 3-year-old fillies over a mile, often a clash of the Irish, French, and English 1000 Guineas winners, meaning that more often than not it produces a very good winner. Past winners include the subsequent Lockinge Stakes hero Russian Rhythm as well as Clive Brittain’s Rizeena and more recently dual-Guineas winner Winter.
2013 – Sky Lantern.
A stunning grey filly proved a very popular winner of the Coronation Stakes back in 2013 for Richard Hannon Snr and the champion jockey Richard Hughes with an ultra-cool performance to dominate a high-quality field. Sky Lantern was coming into the Coronation Stakes as the 9/2 joint favourite following a slight surprise in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. Held up at the back of the 17 runner field for the majority of the race, Sky Lantern only nosed in front within the final furlong, but an incredible turn of foot soon saw her quicken away from the field in fantastic style to beat the French challenger, Kenhope, and Irish 1000 Guineas winner Just The Judge easily by 4 lengths. A Richard Hughes masterclass provided a spectacle at Royal Ascot that is well worth re-watching if you get the opportunity.
2015 – Ervedya.
This race was a truly international renewal, with runners from the UK, Ireland, France and the USA making up the line-up. Much of the interest was focussed on Aidan O’Brien’s filly Found who had been narrowly beaten in the Irish 1000 Guineas on her previous start, and was fully expected to make amends for that defeat here. However, this was by no means a penalty shot since Found faced off against Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Ervedya and 1000 Guineas runner-up Lucida, and the finish to this Group 1 contest saw these three brilliant fillies in a head to head battle up to the line. The American runner, Miss Temple City, tried to break away from the field within the final 2 furlongs before being challenged by Found and Ryan Moore, who looked set to quicken away from her challengers. However, the French filly Ervedya was looming, and soon caught up with Found before narrowly taking the lead towards the finish and just getting up to win by a neck, with Lucida half a length back in 3rd – a truly thrilling finish.
2018 – Alpha Centauri.
Just one year ago racing fans were treated to a very special performance at Royal Ascot, when a shining star of the 2018 season made herself known. This race was a true clash of the 1000 Guineas winners; Billesdon Brook, Teppal and Alpha Centauri all lined up in what was one of the most hotly anticipated races of the week. By the time the winner crossed the line, though, you would have been forgiven for thinking there was only one horse in the race. A strong pace was set by Veracious and Adorable, which set it up perfectly for the strong-travelling Alpha Centauri, who was sent for home by Colm O’Donoghue within the final 2 furlongs and duly obliged to quicken clear from the field, drawing away to win as easily as she liked by 6 lengths in a new course record time. A truly remarkable performance from Jessica Harrington’s superstar filly, who followed up with a further two Group 1 successes before an injury sustained in the Matron Stakes beckoned her premature retirement. But, her electric performance in the Coronation Stakes will live long in the memory.
This year’s race has once again attracted a classy field, headed by the dual 1000 Guineas winner, Hermosa, who is seeking to add another big prize to her record for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. Her main challenger looks to be the French challenger, Castle Lady, who has targeted this race rather than stepping up in trip for the Prix de Diane, and with the French having a very strong record in this race in recent years, Castle Lady warrants respect. Likewise, Jubiloso also lines up for Sir Michael Stoute after winning her first two starts, and although she will need to improve to challenge the two Classic winners she lines up against, she certainly boasts the pedigree to be top class (being out of a half-sister to Frankel). On paper, this race holds enough promise to provide another fantastic renewal on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot.
0 Comments