Falmouth Stakes
Group 1, Newmarket 15:15 £217,500 added, Fillies 3yo plus, 1m, Class 1
Friday 10th July 2015

1 Amazing Maria 17/2
2 Euro Charline 11/1
3 Avenir Certain 7/2
NR: Integral, Lady Dutch
7 ran Distances: 1l, hd, nse
TIME 1m 42.05s (slow by 6.35s)

Amazing Maria wins the Falmouth!

Amazing Maria
© Racehorse Photos

Amazing Maria proved her Royal Ascot victory was no fluke with a determined triumph.

The David O'Meara-trained four-year-old was a shock 25-1 winner of the Duke of Cambridge Stakes last month, a success which prompted owner Sir Robert Ogden to supplement her for this Group One event on the July Course.

Arabian Queen soon adopted a front-running role, with Euro Charline close up, and Amazing Maria was the first of those from back in the pack to throw down a challenge.

The 17-2 chance was under pressure over a furlong from the finish, but stuck to her task admirably and passed the post a length to the good.

Runners were spread across the track in behind, with Euro Charline just holding on to the runner-up spot from the French-trained trio of Fintry, Avenir Certain and Bawina.

Jim Bolger's Lucida, the 2-1 favourite, was not far behind.

Winning jockey James Doyle said: "A lot of people thought it might have been a fluke at Ascot, but I could only say what I felt on the day and I felt she was a class filly.

"I didn't want today to get away from that, so I rode her with plenty of confidence and I knew at halfway it was a game of cat and mouse as we were going real steady.

"I knew if I got first jump on them, she's honest and would hit the line well.

"She goes on this ground, which is a big plus, as it's quick out there.

"She was a good two-year-old and her form dipped slightly. She's a big girl, so I don't know if she went a bit light or whatever, but she's certainly all class.

"I'm a very small part of all this. Danny Tudhope has done a lot of work with her and David O'Meara has done a fantastic job. I'm just the person sat on her back."

O'Meara said: "She ran at Royal Ascot and was the outsider of the field. We didn't think she was without a chance that day, I thought she could maybe be third behind Integral and Rizeena, but she won it and has confirmed today it was no fluke.

"She's a proper filly and has got a Group One today, which is brilliant.

"I was told when she came to me she was a very good filly. She was a wonderful filly at two for Ed Dunlop. Ed rang me up and said she was a Group One filly.

"She travelled well today and moved to within a striking position quite easily for James. When he went for her she found plenty.

"It's very special and it hasn't quite sunk in yet.

"I suppose the Prix Rothschild would be the obvious race for her."

Marco Botti was delighted with the performance of Euro Charline after she was controversially withdrawn at the start at Royal Ascot having refused to enter the stalls.

Botti said: "We were caught by surprise at Ascot and it was just frustrating what happened, but that is in the past.

"We were looking forward to this race and she didn't disgrace herself.

"Watching the race, it did not pan out how we wanted it to as she's definitely happier getting cover and challenging late on.

"But Andrea (Atzeni) said as there was no pace, he preferred to get her relaxed where she was.

"They all came in a bunch at her, but she kept finding and fighting all the way to the line.

"Team Valor are keen to have another shot at the Beverly D. Stakes, so we'll see how she comes out of this.

"The other race for her could be the Prix Rothschild."

Qipco Falmouth Stakes
(British Champions Series) (Fillies' Group 1)
£217,500 added, 3yo plus, 1m, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good to Firm