Coronation Stakes
Group 1 Fillies , Ascot 16:20 £650,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m, Class 1
Tweet Friday 20th June 2025

1 Cercene 33/1
2 Zarigana 6/4F
3 January 8/1
11 ran Distances: ½l, 1l, 1¼l
Time: 1m 38.35s (fast by 0.85s)

"This is 50 years of work, love and care... heaven on earth!"

Quote of the week from Joseph Murphy! #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/GlrPMflZza

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 20, 2025

They say the beauty of Royal Ascot lies in its capacity to surprise – and few would have seen this one coming. Cercene, an unconsidered 33/1 shot, produced a rousing display, repelling the sustained challenge of hot favourite Zarigana in a pulsating finish.

For trainer Joseph Murphy and jockey Gary Carroll, it was a landmark moment – a first success at the top level, made all the sweeter by the manner of its arrival. Cercene, placed in the Irish 1,000 Guineas just weeks ago, sat handy off a strong pace before showing both class and courage to regain the lead and fend off all-comers, scoring by half a length.

Zarigana, well-backed into 6/4 favouritism, loomed ominously with a furlong to run but could not go through with her effort, while January, running in the famous O’Brien silks, stayed on for third, another length adrift.

Cercene’s triumph marked her place in history as the longest-priced winner of the Coronation Stakes – and a second Royal Ascot winner for her dam, Tschierschen, who produced Perotto, the Britannia hero of 2021.

A visibly emotional Murphy reflected on a lifetime’s work fulfilled:

“This is 50 years of dreaming, hoping, and persevering. We started as a small National Hunt yard, switched to the Flat, believed in the horses we bought – and today, it all came good. Cercene’s by Australia, a sire I’ve always rated highly, and she’s a half to a Britannia winner. If she was an inch taller, I probably wouldn’t have kept her – but what heart she’s got.”

Murphy also praised Carroll, whose loyalty across the years was richly rewarded:

“Gary gave her a peach. She was headed and came back – that takes guts. She’s not big, but she’s all heart. A dream to train.”

Carroll, achieving his own Group 1 breakthrough after years of near-misses, was visibly moved in the aftermath:

“This is magic. To do it at Royal Ascot, and for Joe – it means everything. I’ve ridden for him since I was a 7lb claimer. Cercene didn’t enjoy the slow pace in the Guineas, but today we got a better gallop. She got to the front a bit soon, waited, then dug in when Zarigana came at her. She stuck her head out when it mattered. She's tiny – but she's tough as nails.”

Connections of the runner-up, Zarigana, were left wondering what might have been. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffardadmitted she may need headgear:

“She travelled like a dream, but once she hit the front, her whole attitude changed. She’s quirky, very talented, but perhaps blinkers will help. She’s earned her place at stud – and will produce horses good enough to win here one day.”

Princess Zahra Aga Khan echoed that sentiment, drawing comparisons with the filly’s illustrious ancestry:

“She’s like her grandmother, Zarkava – brilliant and a little mad! But both our fillies came home safe, and that’s the most important thing.”

As for January, Aidan O’Brien was philosophical:

“It was a bit messy early. Ryan said she ran well and we’d expect her to come on from it. We’ll look at something like Newmarket next.”

But this was Cercene’s day – a testament to belief, persistence, and the enduring unpredictability of Royal Ascot.

Coronation Stakes (British Champions Series)
£650,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m, Class 1
11 ran
Going: Good to Firm

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (1)    Cercene 3 9-2 Joseph G Murphy Gary Carroll 33/1
2 (9) ½ Zarigana 3 9-2 F-H Graffard Mickael Barzalona 6/4F
3 (10) 1 January 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 8/1
4 (6) 1¼ Cathedral 3 9-2 Ralph Beckett David Egan 33/1
5 (5) ¾ Chantilly Lace 3 9-2 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 12/1
6 (4) 2 Exactly 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Wayne Lordan 14/1
7 (3) 1¼ Kon Tiki 3 9-2 Jane Chapple-Hyam William Buick 17/2
8 (11) 2 Flight 3 9-2 Ollie Sangster Oisin Murphy 22/1
9 (2) 4¾ Falakeyah 3 9-2 Owen Burrows Jim Crowley 5/2
10 (7) 6 Simmering 3 9-2 Ollie Sangster Dylan Browne McMonagle 66/1
11 (8) 7½ Duty First p 3 9-2 Archie Watson Hollie Doyle 66/1

THE CORONATION STAKES
Past Results

2024-WINNER-PORTA FORTUNA Donnacha O'Brien Tom Marquand Medallion, S Weston, B Fowler & Reeves T'Bs 3 9-02 7/2

2023-WINNER-TAHIYRA D K Weld Chris Hayes H H Aga Khan 3 9-02 8/13F

2022-WINNER-INSPIRAL John & Thady Gosden Frankie Dettori Cheveley Park Stud 3 9-02 15/8F

2021-WINNER-ALCOHOL FREE Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy JC Smith 3 9-00 11/2

2020-WINNER-ALPINE STAR Jessica Harrington IRE Frankie Dettori Niarchos Family 3-9-00 9/2

2019-WINNER-WATCH ME Francis-Henri Graffard FR Pierre-Charles Boudot Alexander Tamagni 3-9-00 20/1

2018-WINNER-ALPHA CENTAURI Jessica Harrington IRE Colm O’Donoghue Niarchos Family 3-9-00 11/4F

2017-WINNER-WINTER 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan
Moore; SP-4/9F
2ND-Roly Poly 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Seamie Heffernan; SP-
12/1
3RD-Hydrangea 3-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Padraig Beggy; SP-
16/1
7 ran; Time-1m 39.39s; Dist- 2¼, nk

2016-WINNER-QEMAH 3-9-00 Owner-Al Shaqab Racing; Trainer- Jean-Claude Rouget FR; Jockey-Gregory Benoist; SP-6/1
2ND-Nemoralia 3-9-00 Owner-T Allan, J Lovat & C Pigram; Trainer-Jeremy Noseda; Jockey-Olivier Peslier: SP-4/1
3RD-Alice Springs 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-8/1
13 ran; Time-1m 40.56s; Dist-1¾, shd 9/4 Fav Jet Setting (6th)

2015-WINNER-ERVEDYA 3-9-00 Owner-H H Aga Khan; Trainer-Jean-Claude Rouget FR; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-3/1
2ND-Found 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-13/8 Fav
3RD-Lucida 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Jim Bolger IRE; Jockey-Kevin Manning; SP-3/1
9 ran; Time-1m 38.46s; Dist-nk, 1⁄2

2014-WINNER-RIZEENA 3-9-00 Owner-Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum; Trainer-Clive Brittain; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-11/2
2ND-Lesstalk In Paris 3-9-00 Owner-Sarl Ecurie J L Tepper; Trainer-Jean-Claude Rouget FR; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP- 15/2
3RD-Euro Charline 3-9-00 Owner-Team Valor; Trainer-Marco Botti; Jockey-Andrea Atzeni; SP-16/1
12 ran; Time-1m 40.73s; Dist-¾, hd 5/1 Fav Lightning Thunder (9th)

2013-WINNER-SKY LANTERN 3-9-00 Owner-Ben Keswick; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey: Richard Hughes; SP-9/2JF
2ND-Kenhope 3-9-00 Owner-Guy Pariente; Trainer-Henri-Alex Pantall FR; Jockey-Thierry Jarnet; SP-33/1
3RD-Just The Judge 3-9-00 Owner-Qatar Racing Limited & Sangster Family; Trainer-Charlie Hills; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP- 5/1
17 ran; Time-1m 39.75s; Dist-4, nk 9/2 Joint-Favourite Big Break (7th)

2012-WINNER-FALLEN FOR YOU 3-9-00 Owner-Normandie Stud Ltd; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-William Buick; SP-12/1
2ND-Starscope 3-9-00 Owner-Cheveley Park Stud; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-11/1
3RD-Irish History 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Mahmood Al Zarooni; Jockey-Mickael Barzalona; SP-11/1
10 ran; Time-1m 42.95s; Dist-3¼, 2¼ 9/4 Fav Homecoming Queen (8th)

2011-WINNER-IMMORTAL VERSE 3-9-00 Owner-Richard Strauss; Trainer-Robert Collet FR; Jockey-Gerald Mosse; SP-8/1
2ND-Nova Hawk 3-9-00 Owner-Ahmed Mouknass; Trainer-Rod Collet FR; Jockey-Stephane Pasquier; SP-9/2
3RD-Barefoot Lady 3-9-00 Owner-Helen Steel; Trainer-Richard Fahey; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-16/1
12 ran; Time-1m 42.75s; Dist-2¼, ½ 7/2 Fav Together (5th)

2010-WINNER-LILLIE LANGTRY 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-7/2 Fav
2ND-Gile Na Greine 3-9-00 Owner-Jackie Bolger & Harry Dobson; Trainer-Jim Bolger IRE; Jockey-Kevin Manning; SP-25/1
3RD-Jacqueline Quest 3-9-00 Owner-Noel Martin; Trainer-Henry Cecil; Jockey-Tom Queally; SP-6/1
13 ran; Time-1m 39.69s; Dist-1¼, 2¼

2009-WINNER-GHANAATI 3-9-00 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-Barry Hills; Jockey-Richard Hills; SP-2/1 Fav
2ND-Reggane 3-9-00 Owner-Haras de la Perelle; Trainer-Alain du Royer-Dupre FR; Jockey-Gerald Mosse; SP-9/1
3RD-Rainbow View 3-9-00 Owner-George Strawbridge; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-13/2
10 ran; Time-1m 38.32s; Dist-2, 2¼

2008-WINNER-LUSH LASHES 3-9-00 Owner-Jackie Bolger; Trainer-Jim Bolger IRE; Jockey-Kevin Manning; SP-5/1
2ND-Infallible 3-9-00 Owner-Cheveley Park Stud; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-11/2
3RD-Carribean Sunset 3-9-00 Owner-Dr Ronan Lambe; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Pat Smullen; SP-16/1
11 ran, Time-1m 39.23s, Dist-3¼, ¾ 9/4 Fav Spacious (4th)

2007-WINNER-INDIAN INK 3-9-00 Owner-Raymond Tooth; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-8/1
2ND-Mi Emma 3-9-00 Owner-Rennstall Darboven; Trainer-Andreas Wohler GER; Jockey-Eddie Pedroza; SP-100/30 Jt Fav
3RD-Darjina 3-9-00 Owner- Princess Zahra Aga Khan; Trainer-Alain de Royer-Dupre FR; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-7/2
13 ran, Time-1m 42.26, Dist 6, hd 100/30 Joint Fav Finsceal Beo (8th)

2006-WINNER-NANNINA 3-9-00 Owner-Cheveley Park Stud; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-6/1 Jt Fav
2ND-Flashy Wings 3-9-00 Owner-Jaber Abdullah; Trainer-Mick Channon; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-13/2
3RD-Nasheej 3-9-00 Owner-Malih Al Basti; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-20/1
15 ran, Time-1m 39.14s, Dist-2, ¾ 6/1 Jt Fav Price Tag (8th)

2005-WINNER-MAIDS CAUSEWAY 3-9-00 Owner-Martin Schwartz; Trainer-Barry Hills; Jockey-Michael Hills; SP-9/2
2ND-Karen’s Caper 3-9-00 Owner-Stonerside Stable LLC; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-11/2
3RD-Mona Lisa 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-25/1
10 ran, Time-1m 36.59s Dist-sh, 3½ 7/2 Fav Damson (7th) (run at York)

2004-WINNER-ATTRACTION 3-9-00 Owner-Duke of Roxburghe; Trainer-Mark Johnston; Jockey-Kevin Darley; SP- 6/4 Fav
2ND-Majestic Desert 3-9-00 Owner-Jaber Abdullah; Trainer-Mick Channon; Jockey-Ted Durcan; SP-25/1
3RD-Red Bloom 3-9-00 Owner-Cheveley Park Stud; Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-100/30
11 ran, Time-1m 38.54s Dist-2½, hd

2003-WINNER-RUSSIAN RHYTHM 3-9-00 Owner-Cheveley Park Stud; Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-4/7 Fav
2ND- Soviet Song 3-9-00 Owner-Elite Racing Club; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Oscar Urbina; SP-9/2
3RD-Mail The Desert 3-9-00 Owner-Newsells Park Stud; Trainer-Mick Channon; Jockey-Steve Drowne; SP-14/1
9 ran, Time- 1m 38.51s Dist-1½, 3.