St James's Palace Stakes
 QuinnBet
(British Champions Series)
Group 1, Ascot 16:20
£350,000 added,
3yo only, 7f 213y, Class 1   
Tuesday 15th June 2021

SureWIn

1 Poetic Flare 7/2F
2 Lucky Vega 4/1
3 Battleground 11/1
13 ran Distances: 4¼l, nk, ½l
Time: 1m 37.40s (fast by 2.50s)

QIPCO 2000 Guineas hero Poetic Flare was a dominant winner for Ireland in one of the highlights of Royal Ascot’s opening day.
 
The race, restricted to three-year-olds over the round mile, looked competitive on paper but proved anything but with 54-year-old jockey Kevin Manning and his mount travelling with confidence before clearing away for a four and a quarter length victory. 
 
Trainer Jim Bolger – who bred the son of Dawn Approach – has kept Poetic Flare busy, running in three different 2000 Guineas over a three-week period, but that proved no barrier for the 7/2 favourite.
 
Lucky Vega chased the impressive winner home, with Battleground a neck further back in third.
 
Manning said: “The ground is what this horse needs. You want that good, quick ground and that’s what we got today, and he showed how good he is.
 
“He travelled very well; there was a nice, even pace in the race and always something to aim at. He just travelled so easy into the race, and when I asked him to pick up, he put the race to bed in a matter of strides. 
 
“I couldn’t believe that I was travelling so well and was half sitting down rather than having to go forward. He’s an unbelievable horse. He’s a very tough individual who does himself very well. He has taken his racing very well.
 
“I don’t want to compare him to his sire [Dawn Approach, on whom Manning won the St James’s Palace stakes by a short-head in 2013], although if you are going on this race his dad only won by a short-head, not more than four lengths like Poetic Flare, but they are both fantastic horses. 
 
“Riding these good horses is fantastic; it’s going well and I’m enjoying life. This place has been a lucky hunting ground for us over the years - we haven’t had loads of runners over the years, but the ones we’ve brought over have all had chances. We have just the one runner this week, and to win is marvellous.”

Trainers Quotes

Speaking to Sky Sports from his home, Bolger said: “I’m very relaxed about it. I have tremendous confidence in this horse and I was expecting him to go and do that. Thanks to all my staff and everybody who has helped.
 
“We always knew he was hardy from the word go, even when he was being broken in you couldn’t keep him quiet. We’ve bred from the family since the very early 1980s, so a long time. When you have a horse winning the St James’s Palace like that you don’t really think about all the relatives and the breeding, you wouldn’t care if he came to you off the back of a truck as long as you had him. 

“This horse is so hardy he’s unbelievable, you have to give it to him to keep his back down.”
 
Una Manning, daughter and assistant to Bolger and wife of jockey Kevin Manning, said: “Dad has always had faith in him. I phoned him after the race and said: ‘Well done, you’re a legend - gosh he did that well’. He said: ‘That's exactly what I was expecting’. It was wonderful, it was fantastic.
 
“I just had two words from Kevin - he said he's chalk and cheese on the ground. So I think that probably answers our questions about France and our questions about the Curragh.
 
“I'm so thrilled for my parents because they put so much into it over the years, from the time they started out just the two of them, small business. Look, it's just amazing.
 
“I just want to say thank you so much to our staff, they've worked extremely hard through very challenging times, and without our staff, we wouldn't be here in this parade ring today.”
 
She added: “Thank you to everyone who has managed to put on this wonderful show at Ascot today. I'm sure it hasn't been easy.”
 
Jessica Harrington said of Lucky Vega: “Sadly that is going to be his last run. There will be an announcement as he is going to stand in Australia. I will be sad to lose him as I think he could win a Group One this year easily. He definitely proved today that he stayed the mile and might even get a mile and a quarter.”

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St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1)
£350,000 added, 3yo only, 7f 213y, Class 1
13 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (7)      Poetic Flare 3 9-0 J S Bolger Kevin Manning 7/2F
2 (11) 4¼ Lucky Vega 3 9-0 Mrs John Harrington Shane Foley 4/1
3 (2) nk Battleground 3 9-0 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 11/1
4 (9) ½ Maximal 3 9-0 Sir Michael Stoute Colin Keane 12/1
5 (8) ¾ Chindit 3 9-0 Richard Hannon Pat Dobbs 11/2
6 (12) 1¼ Highland Avenue 3 9-0 Charlie Appleby William Buick 15/2
7 (6) 3 Thunder Moon 3 9-0 Joseph O'Brien Frankie Dettori 12/1
8 (10) 1¾ Naamoos 3 9-0 Mark Johnston Ben Curtis 20/1
9 (4) shd Wembley 3 9-0 A P O'Brien Seamie Heffernan 33/1
10 (5) hd La Barrosa 3 9-0 Charlie Appleby James Doyle 16/1
11 (13) 3½ Bullace 3 9-0 Ralph Beckett Hector Crouch 33/1
12 (1) 1¾ Mostahdaf 3 9-0 John & Thady Gosden Jim Crowley 10/1
13 (3) 19 Ontario 3 9-0 A P O'Brien Wayne Lordan 125/1

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THE ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES
Past Results

2020-WINNER-PALACE PIER John Gosden Frankie Dettori Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum 3-9-00 4/1

2019-WINNER-CIRCUS MAXIMUS Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Flaxman Stables, Sue Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith 3-9-00 10/1

2018-WINNER-WITHOUT PAROLE John Gosden Frankie Dettori John & Tanya Gunther 3-9-00 9/4F

2017-WINNER-BARNEY ROY 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-James Doyle; SP-5/2
2ND-Lancaster Bomber 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Donnacha
O’Brien; SP-12/1

3RD-Thunder Snow 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-6/1

8 ran; Time-1m 37.22s; Dist-1, hd 1/2 Fav Churchill (4th)

2016-WINNER-GALILEO GOLD 3-9-00 Owner-Al Shaqab Racing; Trainer-Hugo Palmer; Jockey-Frankie Dettori- SP-6/1

2ND-The Gurkha 3-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-4/5 Fav
3RD-Awtaad 3-9-00 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-Kevin Prendergast IRE; Jockey-Chris Hayes; SP-5/2
7 ran; Time-1m 44.01s; Dist-11⁄4, 1⁄2

2015-WINNER-GLENEAGLES 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey- Ryan Moore; SP-8/1
5 Fav
2ND-Lathanarch 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Charlie Appleby; Jockey-William Buick; SP-25/1

3RD-Consort 3-9-00 Owner-Highclere Th’bred Racing (Hardwicke); Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-6/1

5 ran; Time-1m 38.86s; Dist-21⁄2, 1⁄2

2014-WINNER-KINGMAN 3-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-James Doyle; SP-8/1
1 Fav
2ND-Night Of Thunder 3-9-00 Owner-Saeed Manana; Trainer-Richard Hannon snr; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-3/1

3RD-Outstrip 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Charlie Appleby; Jockey-William Buick; SP-33/1

7 ran; Time-1m 39.06s; Dist-2¼, 1

2013-WINNER-DAWN APPROACH 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Jim Bolger IRE; Jockey-Kevin Manning; SP-5/4 Fav
2ND-Toronado 3-9-00 Owner-Sheikh Joann bin Hamad Al Thani; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-5/1

3RD-Mars 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP- 10/1

9 ran; Time-1m 39.23s; Dist-sh, 2¾

2012-WINNER-MOST IMPROVED 3-9-00 Owner-Iraj Parvizi; Trainer-Brian Meehan; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-9/1

2RD-Hermival 3-9-00 Owner-H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani; Trainer-Mikel Delzangles FR; Jockey-Gregory Benoist;
SP-9/1

3RD-Gregorian 3-9-00 Owner-H R H Princess Haya of Jordan; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-14/1

16 ran; Time-1m 40.14s; Dist-¾, hd 11/4 Fav Power (12th)

2011-WINNER-FRANKEL 3-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Henry Cecil; Jockey-Tom Queally; SP-30/1
00 Fav
2ND-Zoffany 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-
20/1

3RD-Excelebration 3-9-00 Owner-Giuliano Manfredini; Trainer-Marco Botti; Jockey-Adam Kirby; SP-10/1

9 ran; Time-1m 39.24s; Dist-¾, 1½

2010-WINNER-CANFORD CLIFFS 3-9-00 Owner-Heffer Syndicate, Susan Roy & Mrs Instance; Trainer-Richard Hannon;
Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-11/4 Jt Fav
2ND-Dick Turpin 3-9-00 Owner-John Manley; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-5/1

3RD-Hearts Of Fire 3-9-00 Owner-Pat Eddery Racing (Detroit); Trainer-Pat Eddery; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-33/1

9 ran; Time-1m 39.55s; Dist-1, ¾ 11/4 Jt Fav Makfi (7th)

2009- WINNER-MASTERCRAFTSMAN 3-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-5/6 Fav
2ND-Delegator 3-9-00 Owner-Poilin Good; Trainer-Brian Meehan; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-4/1

3RD-Lord Shanakill 3-9-00 Owner: Mogeely Stud & Mark Gittins; Trainer: Karl Burke; Jockey-Jim Crowley; SP-20/1

10 ran; Time: 1m 39.21s; Dist-nk, 1½

2008-WINNER-HENRYTHENAVIGATOR 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh;
SP-4/7 Fav
2ND-Raven’s Pass 3-9-00 Owner-Stonerside Stable LLC; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-7/1

3RD-Twice Over 3-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Henry Cecil; Jockey-Ted Durcan; SP-8/1

8 ran, Time-1m 38.7s, Dist-¾, 2½

2007-WINNER-EXCELLENT ART 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-8/1

2ND-Duke Of Marmalade 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Michael Kinane;
SP-11/1

3RD-Astronomer Royal 3-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-
Colm O’Donoghue; SP-14/1

8 ran, Time-1m 39.33s, Dist-nk, 1¼ Evens Fav Cockney Rebel (5th)

2006-WINNER-ARAAFA 3-9-00 Owner-Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar; Trainer-Jeremy Noseda; Jockey-Alan Munro;
SP-2/1
Fav
2ND-Stormy River 3-9-00 Owner-Ecurie Mister Ess AS; Trainer-Nicolas Clement FR; Jockey-Olivier Peslier; SP-7/2
3RD-Ivan Denisovich 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Mr & Mrs Irving Cowan; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE;
Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-13/2
11 ran, Time-1m 39.59s, Dist-2, 1¾

2005-WINNER-SHAMARDAL 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Kerrin McEvoy; SP-7/4 Fav
2ND-Ad Valorem 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Michael Kinane; SP-8/1

3RD-Oratorio 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-6/1

8 ran, Time-1m 37.18s Dist-3, 1¾ (run at York)

2004-WINNER-AZAMOUR 3-9-00 Owner-H H Aga Khan; Trainer-John Oxx IRE; Jockey-Michael Kinane; SP-9/2
2ND-Diamond Green 3-9-00 Owner-Lagardere Family; Trainer-Andre Fabre FR; Jockey-Gary Stevens; SP-10/1

3RD-Antonius Pius 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-7/1

11 ran, Time-1m 39.02s Dist-nk, ¾ 6/4 Fav Haafhd (4th)

2003-WINNER-ZAFEEN 3-9-00 Owner-Jaber Abdullah; Trainer-Mick Channon; Jockey-Darryll Holland; SP-8/1

2ND-Kalaman 3-9-00 Owner H H Aga Khan; Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-5/2 Fav
3RD-Martillo 3-9-00 Owner-Gestut Hony-Hof; Trainer-Ralf Suerland GER; Jockey-William Mongil; SP-12/1

11 ran, Time-1m 39.91s Dist-1, 3

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