Byron victorious in Mill Reef

Byron lorded over nine rivals at 9-1 in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on Friday, defeating the odds-on favorite, Grand Reward, by three-quarters of a length.

With the victory, Byron, a 2-year-old son of Green Desert out of Gay Gallanta, bounced back under jockey Jamie Spencer after having been demoted from third to fourth in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York on Aug. 20 when Grand Reward, a son of Storm Cat and Serena's Song, was promoted to third. Grand Reward walked out of the gate in the Mill Reef and was closing fastest of all but could not catch Byron, who was timed in 1:12.68 for the straight six furlongs on good to firm ground.