Dubai Duty Free Stakes
(registered As The Fred Darling Stakes)		 QuinnBet
Group 3, Newbury 14:00
£85,000 guaranteed,
3yo only, 7f, Class 1  
Saturday 12th April 2025

SureWIn

1 Duty First 33/1
2 Hey Boo 40/1
3 Time For Sandals 14/1
15 ran NR: Nardra Distances: 3¼l, 1l, 1¼l
Time: 1m 23.95s (slow by 1.15s)

In a race where reputations were expected to rule, it was Duty First who tore up the script and wrote her own, storming home at 33-1 under a brilliantly judged ride from Hollie Doyle.

The Archie Watson-trained filly had hinted at quality during her juvenile season—most notably when placing third in the Group 2 Rockfel—but came into this contest very much under the radar. With the likes of Mountain Breeze, Simmering, and Heavens Gate commanding the market’s respect, few gave the outsider more than a cursory glance.

But when the race unfolded, it was the big names who fluffed their lines. Mountain Breeze attempted to make all and paid for it late, while Simmering and Heavens Gate were never at the races, their challenges dissolving in the April breeze.

Not so Duty First. She travelled sweetly into contention with more than a furlong to run, and when Doyle pressed the button, the response was electric. Any doubts about stamina or class were instantly erased as she surged clear.

There was a brief threat from Time For Sandals—the 14-1 shot making a bold move—but she paid for her early exertions and was collared for second by the unheralded Hey Boo, a 40-1 shot from Jack Channon’s yard who stepped up markedly on previous form to finish three and a quarter lengths adrift of the winner.

Speaking afterwards, Watson admitted even he hadn’t seen quite this coming:

“I guess I was a little surprised—this looked a proper Fred Darling with some real Group performers in there. But she’s been in such good form this spring and has really strengthened up. The way she’s done it probably shocked me more than the fact she’s done it.”

Looking ahead, the Guineas now beckons—but perhaps not the one originally pencilled in.

“She was due to head to the Italian Guineas, but I’d say that plan’s out the window now. She’s not in the English Guineas, but we’ll look to supplement. Newmarket is the target.”

And Doyle, ever composed, saw it coming all along:

“She’s finished really strongly and will only improve for the step up to a mile. Her homework’s been solid—we’ve always liked her. She probably overachieved last year when not quite ready, so this season, with a clear run, could be where she really shines.”

On a day when the stars were meant to align for others, it was Duty First who rose highest—an unfancied filly with a growing profile and, perhaps, Classic ambitions now firmly in the frame.

Boylesports

Dubai Duty Free Stakes
£85,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 7f, Class 1
15 ran
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (11)    Duty First 3 9-2 Archie Watson Hollie Doyle 33/1
2 (8) 3¼ Hey Boo 3 9-2 Jack Channon George Bass 40/1
3 (15) 1 Time For Sandals 3 9-2 Harry Eustace Richard Kingscote 14/1
4 10 1¼ Betty Clover 3 9-2 Eve Johnson Houghton Georgia Dobie 80/1
5 (7) ½ Maw Lam 3 9-2 Adrian Nicholls Harrison Shaw 40/1
6 (9) 1 Enola Holmes 3 9-2 Jack Jones Hector Crouch 125/1
7 (6) 2¾ Simmering 3 9-2 Ollie Sangster Christophe Soumillon 5/2J
8 (4) 1 Formal 3 9-2 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 13/2
9 (12) shd Ellaria Sand 3 9-2 Ollie Sangster Jamie Spencer 50/1
10 (14) 2 Bright Times Ahead 3 9-2 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 13/2
11 (5) ½ Mountain Breeze 3 9-2 Charlie Appleby William Buick 5/2J
12 (1) 2¼ California Dreamer 3 9-2 Adrian Murray David Egan 11/1
13 (16) 1 British Blue 3 9-2 Richard Hannon Pat Dobbs 66/1
14 (13) ½ Greydreambeliever 3 9-2 K R Burke James Doyle 50/1
15 (3) 1½ Heavens Gate 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Sean Levey 7/1
NR 14 Nardra 3 9-2 William Haggas NON RUNNER

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