Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes |
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| Group 3, Newmarket £85,000 guaranteed, 3yo fillies only, 7f, Class 1  |
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1 Zanzoun 9/1
2 Celestial Orbit
9/1
3 Remaat 20/1
10 ran Distances: 1¾l, ½l, ½l
Time: 1m 29.22s (slow by 5.92s)
🚀 Zanzoun lands the Nell Gwyn for team Gosden pic.twitter.com/UDrAvGdBTH
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 15, 2025
Zanzoun thrust herself firmly into the Classic conversation with a polished, almost nonchalant, victory — and in doing so, gave Juddmonte a timely spring boost.
The Dubawi filly, trained by John and Thady Gosden, had looked a work in progress on her first two starts before bolting up at Southwell in November. On this evidence, the progress has been sustained — and then some.
Sent off at 9-1 under a watchful Kieran Shoemark, she travelled like a horse who'd read the script backwards. Held up early, she eased into contention with the sort of poise that makes you sit up. Two furlongs out, Shoemark gave the nod, and Zanzoun responded with a gear change you don’t teach — you inherit.
She skipped clear with minimum fuss, ultimately putting daylight between herself and the closing Celestial Orbit — Ollie Sangster’s filly staying on with credit to nab second. Andrew Balding’s Remaat plugged on for third, but favourite backers were left scratching heads as Charlie Appleby’s 15-8 jolly, Verse Of Love, never looked likely.
Post-race, the murmurs turned to France, and so did the betting boards. Paddy Power clipped Zanzoun into 8-1 for the French 1,000 Guineas — a trip across the Channel now firmly in play.
John Gosden was typically measured:
“She’s trained well this spring and is a filly we’ve not rushed. The ground was fine today, but rattling quick wouldn’t be her bag. She could head to the French Guineas — we’ll talk to the family. There’s that classy Aga Khan filly Zarigana to consider, but we’re in the mix. And if Desert Flower turns up here, I’d be quite happy to be in France instead.”
Barry Mahon, representing Juddmonte, echoed the sentiment:
“She’s always been well regarded — this wasn’t out of the blue. She’s in the French Guineas, not the English one, so we’ll weigh things up with the team.”
Celestial Orbit’s run caught the eye, and Sangster was positive despite falling short:
“She’s done it the right way — quickened off a quickening pace. Jamie (Spencer) says a mile’s no issue. The key will be a bit of cut in the ground. She’s in both Guineas, and we’ll let the weather and her condition guide us.”
As for Sangster’s broader Classic hand, there’s still plenty on the table:
“Flight worked nicely today, she’s not a 50-1 shot in our eyes. Simmering? Put a line through the Fred Darling — lots will. She’s come out of it fine and has always been right there with Celestial Orbit in her work, if not slightly ahead.”
So, Zanzoun stamps her ticket — destination Paris or Newmarket still to be confirmed — but either way, she’s very much on the train.
Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes
(Fillies' Group 3)
£85,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 7f, Class 1
10 ran
Going: Good to Soft
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (9) Zanzoun 3 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Kieran Shoemark 9/1
2 (5) 1¾ Celestial Orbit 3 9-2 Ollie Sangster Jamie Spencer 9/1
3 (10) ½ Remaat 3 9-2 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 20/1
4 (1) ½ Arabian Dusk 3 9-2 Simon & Ed Crisford James Doyle 7/2
5 (2) 1½ Nardra 3 9-2 William Haggas Tom Marquand 11/4
6 (4) 1½ Biniorella Bay 3 9-2 Tom Clover Jack Mitchell 40/1
7 (6) 1¾ Verse Of Love 3 9-2 Charlie Appleby William Buick 15/8F
8 (8) nk Cartwheel 3 9-2 Dylan Cunha Ray Dawson 33/1
9 (7) hd Saguaro Blossom 3 9-2 Brian Meehan Jim Crowley 150/1
10 (3) 8 Qarlyga 1 3 9-2 Roger Varian Silvestre De Sousa 66/1
