Santorini Star will defend her Betfred Park Hill Stakes crown before attempting to go one better than last year and finally secure an elusive Group One triumph in the Prix de Royallieu later in the autumn.
William Haggas’ ultra consistent five-year-old got the better of Sir Mark Prescott’s Consent in the Doncaster Group Two 12 months ago, but saw tables turned when they rematched at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend, with Santorini Star having to settle for the silver medal.
Now after a fine season where the daughter of Golden Horn has added to her Group-race haul in Newmarket’s Jockey Club Stakes and come close to a maiden top-level strike in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, she will chart a familiar path to the French capital in early October.
“She’s run a cracker in Deauville and the horse who beat her is vastly improving and looks like being a Melbourne Cup horse,” said Sean Graham, racing manager for owner Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy, after Santorini Star finished second to Joseph O’Brien’s Defiantly in the Prix Kergorlay.
“She won the Park Hill last year and that could be a stepping stone for her again en route to trying to win the Group One on Arc weekend she was second to Consent in last year.
“The Prix de Royallieu would be her main target at the end of the season and she’s won two Group Twos and been second in a Group Two this year and she’s been second in two Group Ones.
“She’s knocking on the door every time in these big races and is unbelievably tough and consistent and reliable and just a credit to her team.
“She just tries hard and is so resilient, she’s a wonderful filly and one day will make a fabulous broodmare. William has done a marvellous job with her and hopefully all roads lead to France at the end of the year.”