Zafeen Wins St. James Palace Stakes

Zafeen earned group I status with his length victory over Kalaman in the St. James Palace Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot. Martillo was three lengths back in third. American-bred Hold That Tiger finished fourth in the 10-horse field. Zafeen covered the mile distance in 1:39.19.

Under jockey Darrell Holland, who replaced regular rider Steve Drowne, Zafeen remained in mid pack of the race before passing early leader France about two furlongs from home.

Mick Channon conditions the son of Zafonic, who was bred in France by Gainesborough Stud Management, for Jabar Abdullah.

Zafeen entered the St. James off a runner-up finish, three-quarters of a length behind to Refuse To Bend, in the Sagitta Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) at Newmarket. He followed that effort with a disappointing 14th-place finish in the May 24 Entenmanns Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) at the Curragh.

According to the Racing Post, Channon suggested Zafeen could make his next start in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.