Immortal Verse Last-to-First in Coronation

Immortal Verse displayed a sparkling turn of foot, sweeping from last to first in the final furlong to win the $403,797 Coronation Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot June 17.

The Robert Collet-trained daughter of Pivotal led a French-trained one-two finish as Nova Hawk, trained by Collet’s son, Rod, rallied to take second.

A field of 12 3-year-old fillies contested the eight-furlong Coronation, led by Aidan O’Brien’s Together, who had finished second in both the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) and the Etihad Airways Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I). There was also an intriguing U.S.-based runner, More Than Real, owned by chef Bobby Flay. More Than Real was making her first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IIT) last November.

Immortal Verse was anchored at the rear of the field by jockey Gerald Mosse after the start, as Claiomh Solais was sent to the front by Kevin Manning. She was tracked by Theyskens' Theory, with Joviality and Barefoot Lady just behind them.

Jockey Olivier Peslier had More Than Real tucked in behind the leaders as she raced along the rail during the early stages. Together was settled near the rear of the field along with Nova Hawk, who raced right in front of Immortal Verse.

Claiomh Solais continued to show the way as the field rounded the turn and entered the home straight. Theyskens’ Theory held second as Joviality began to make a run from third.

With two furlongs left to run, Mosse swung Immortal Verse out from behind horses, moving her into the clear on the far outside. Under a vigorous hand-ride by Mosse, Immortal Verse swept past the other fillies in just a few strides, storming to the front in the final furlong.

Immortal Verse crossed the wire 2 1/4 lengths in front. Nova Hawk made a late rally to take second by a half-length over Barefoot Lady. More Than Real, after being pushed along for a couple of furlongs eventually flattened out, fading to 11th.

The final time for the mile over the good to soft going was 1:42.75.

Trainer Collet was delighted, saying, “This filly is the best filly I’ve trained.”

Immortal Verse was bred in Ireland by Kilfrush Stud and races for R.C. Strauss. She is out of the stakes-winning mare Side Of Paradise, a daughter of Sadler’s Wells. Side Of Paradise is a half-sister to champion Last Tycoon, winner of the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) in 1984.