Sahpresa, dismissed at odds of 16-1, came charging late to overtake Ghanaati and capture the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (Eng-I) at Newmarket Oct. 3.
Handled confidently by Ted Durcan, Sahpresa rated comfortably toward the back of the pack as Spacious and Ghanaati went to the front from the start. Ghanaati took over the lead under Richard Hills with a furlong to go, and appeared to be on her way to notching her third group I victory.
Sahpresa had something to say about that, though, and began to make headway on the leaders with two furlongs to run. Under a strong drive by Durcan, Sahpresa collared Ghanaati within the final furlong to win rather easily by 1 1/2 lengths.
Ghanaati ran on at one pace to finish second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of Spacious. Final time for the mile was 1:34.40 over the good to firm going.
Sahpresa became the first group I winner for French trainer Rod Collet, who told reporters after the race, “It is my first group I race, and it is a pleasure to win in England. I have only had a couple of runners here before, and I only have 30 or 40 horses.”
Sahpresa was bred in Kentucky by her owner, D. O. McIntyre. She is a 3-year-old filly by Sahm out of Sorpresa, by Pleasant Tap.