Proclamation Posts Mild Upset in Sussex Stakes

Mick Kinane landed his second group 1 win within the space of five days when he helped Proclamation, the 3-1 second favorite, gain a tactical edge over 2-1 market leader and defending champion Soviet Song to land the one-mile Sussex Stakes Wednesday at Goodwood.

Persistent rain over the undulating Sussex course had turned the ground soft, but Proclamation, the winner of the Jersey Stakes (Eng-III) at Royal Ascot at York last time out, unleashed an impressive turn of foot to steal a march on his biggest rival.

The fact that the son of second season sire King's Best gained first run on Soviet Song proved decisive as the 5-year-old mare was only a length behind him at the line. Fellow 3-year-old Ad Valorem was third, 2 1/2 lengths
away.

"We hadn't expected to go too soon but Mick (Kinane) did well to take the opportunity to put Johnny (Murtagh, on Soviet Song) in his box. Proclamation has for a huge turn of foot," said winning trainer Jeremy Noseda after landing the £174,000 first prize.

"It turned into a tactical race but this horse has serious acceleration," Kinane said of Proclamation, who runs in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed's wife, Princess Haya. At the age of 46, Kinane has thrived since leaving Aidan O'Brien's yard two seasons ago and linking up with John Oxx, for whom he
won Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (Eng-I) on Azamour.

Feeling that the ground worked against Soviet Song, who just couldn't peg back Proclamation's stolen lead in the conditions, trainer James Fanshawe said he is eyeing the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships for her now, with a possible prior run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I) at Ascot on Sept. 24.

Earlier in the card, Mark Of Esteem's son Sir Percy proved himself a juvenile of note when winning the Veueve Clicquot Vintage Stakes (Eng-II) -- a race won last year by champion European 2-year-old Shamardal.

In a blanket finish, Sir Percy, sent off the joint 4-1 second favorite, rallied after being headed to beat Cool Creek and Black Charmer by a neck and a short head. The Aidan O'Brien-trained 15-8 favorite Aussie Rules was struggling in the conditions throughout the seven-furlong contest and finished
fourth.

"It was a bit of a journey into the unknown on this ground, but I still think he will make more of a 3-year-old than a 2-year-old," said winning trainer Marcus Tregoning, adding that Sir Percy will follow the Shamardal route and go next for the Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Eng-I) on Oct. 15 at Newmarket.