DFS Park Hill Stakes
Group 2, Doncaster 15:00 £100,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 6f 115y, Class 1
Thursday 13th September 2018

1 God Given 5/1
2 Horseplay 7/2
3 Pilaster 6/5F
7 ran Distances: nk, nk, 3¼l
Time: 3m 9.77s (slow by 6.77s)

God Given
© Grossick Photography

Luca Cumani’s God Given was beaten just a short head by the reopposing Horseplay in the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock in July before finishing fourth behind Pilaster, the 6-5 favourite for this Group Two affair, in the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood.

Having finished third in a French Group Two on her most recent outing, God Given was a 5-1 shot under Jamie Spencer and made her move racing inside the final quarter-mile.

Horseplay held a narrow advantage racing inside the final furlong, but God Given wore her down to gain her revenge by a neck.

Having been held up last by Andrea Atzeni, Pilaster made late headway to finish a clear third, with Flattering faring best of Aidan O’Brien’s two Irish raiders in fourth.

Cumani said: “After the Lillie Langtry, when she was a bit keen in front, we thought we’d have to be a bit careful over this mile-six and as there was a leisurely pace with the Aidan O’Brien second string, we just sat away and went and did battle on the straight.

“It was a battle and an exciting race. All the more exciting because we won.”

He added: “Ascot (Champions Day, Fillies and Mares Stakes) next. The plan was if she didn’t win today we’d have gone to France form a Group Two on Arc weekend, but now she’s got that Group Two there’s no point.

“Her last race will be at Ascot and then she’ll probably go to stud and make beautiful babies.” 

Andrew Balding said of runner-up Horseplay: “She’s run a great race. Obviously the 3lb penalty has paid, but she battled all the way and I’m delighted with her.

“Hopefully we’ll have a Group One opportunity with her in the autumn, possibly in Canada, the Canadian International.”

Roger Varian added of third-placed Pilaster: “The lack of pace hindered us. She was closest at the finish and just got out-sprinted a little bit.

“We’d like to go to Ascot for the Group One on Champions Day. It’s likely it will be on easier ground, which will suit her. Though it’s down in trip, it will probably be more of a test than today was.”

DFS Park Hill Stakes
£100,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 6f 115y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good

Pos	Dr	D	Horse SP	Jockey Weight	Trainer	Age
1st	(6)		God Given 5/1	J P Spencer 9-5	L M Cumani	4
2nd	(5)	nk	Horseplay 7/2	Oisin Murphy 9-8	A M Balding	4
3rd	(2)	nk	Pilaster 6/5f	Andrea Atzeni 8-12	R Varian	3
4th	(4)	3&frac14	Flattering (IRE) 28/1	W M Lordan 8-9	A P O'Brien	3
5th	(3)	nk	Galmarley 25/1	David Probert 8-9	Mrs L Wadham	3
6th	(7)	3¼	Isabel De Urbina (IRE) 20/1	Harry Bentley 9-5	R M Beckett	4
7th	(1)	3½	Sizzling (IRE) 6/1	R L Moore 8-9	A P O'Brien	3

RECENT WINNERS
Year Horse Trainer Jockey Owner SP

2017 Alyssa
2016 Simple Verse R M Beckett Oisin Murphy Qatar Racing 3/1
2015 Gretchen J H M Gosden Robert Havlin Normandie Stud 5/1
2014 Silk Sari Luca Cumani Andrea Atzeni Fittocks Stud 8/1
2013 The Lark Michael Bell Jamie Spencer Lady Bamford 15/8 fav
2012 Wild Coco Sir Henry Cecil Tom Queally Gest ut Rottgen 7/4 fav
2011 Meeznah David Lanigan Frankie Dettori Saif Ali & Saeed Altayer 5/2
2010 Eastern Aria Mark Johnston Frankie Dettori Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum 5/1
2009 The Miniver Rose Richard Hannon Pat Dobbs Julie Wood 28/1
2008 Allegretto Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore Cheveley Park Stud 7/4 fav
2007 Hi Calypso Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore Philip Newton 9/2
2006 Rising Cross John Best Martin Dwyer Gary Tanaka 16/1
2005 Sweet Stream John Hammond FR Thierry Gillet Team Valor 7/2 fav
2004 Echoes In Eternity Saeed bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin 5/1
2003 Discreet Brief John Dunlop Pat Eddery Sonia Rogers 8/1
2002 Alexander Three D Barry Hills Michael Hills Miriam O'Callaghan 7/4 fav
2001 Ranin Ed Dunlop Willie Supple Hamdan Al Maktoum 5/1
2000 Miletrian Mick Channon Craig Williams Miletrian Plc 10/1
1999 Mistle Song Clive Brittain Richard Quinn Saeed Manana 8/1