England: Sealiway fights off Dubai Honour, takes Champions Stakes upset
Sealiway held off Dubai Honour for an upset victory in the Group 1, $1.2 million Champion Stakes on Saturday at Ascot, the featured race on QIPCO British Champions Day.
Favored Mishriff held a contending position in midstretch and had his chance but faded late to finish fourth, beaten one length by Mac Swiney, who was 1 1/2 lengths behind Dubai Honour. Adayar, second choice in the betting, raced too keenly disputing the lead with Addeybb, and tired finishing fifth, a trip similar to his performance two Sundays ago in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Adayar held on for fourth in the Arc, beating fifth-place Sealiway by less than one length, but in the 1 1/4-mile Champion, run over good-to-soft ground that was much more solid than the going at Longchamp, it was Sealiway’s time to shine.
Trained in France by Cedric Rossi, Sealiway won for the first time since a five-length victory about a year ago in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, which was followed by a fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland. Second in the Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby, Sealiway didn’t race between that June 6 start and the Oct. 2 Arc and came into the Champion a fresh horse.
Mickael Barzalona rode Sealiway on Saturday for the first time this year and put his mount right into the race, Sealiway tracking Adayar and Addeybb until about three furlongs remained. Sealiway first took Addeybb’s measure, then collard Adayar, shifting about as Mishriff and Mac Swiney tried to mount challenges. Instead it was Dubai Honour, rolling from the back of the field, who loomed a danger with an eighth of a mile left to run, but Sealiway continued resolutely to the line for a career breakthough.
“We had a good draw, he broke well, settled well and we had a good position,” Barzalona said. “Sealiway showed plenty of stamina in the Arc, but today he showed plenty of speed. He is an excellent horse.”
Sealiway, who paid $29.30 to win, is by Galiway out of Kensea, by Kendargent. The Champion was part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series offering the winner guaranteed fees-paid entry into the BC Turf and travel expenses to Del Mar. Sealiway has been mentioned as a possible BC Turf participant, but no word about immediate plans came from connections after the Champion.
Dubai Honour, who had his three-race win streak snapped but confirmed his Group 1 viability, could be sent to the 1 1/4-mile Hong Kong Cup in December, trainer William Haggas said.
Eshaada nips Albaflora in Fillies and Mares
Longshot Eshaada nipped Albaflora to win the Group 1 British Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes as odds-on favorite Snowfall loomed and faded to a well-beaten third.
Eshaada, a 3-year-old Roger Varian-trained filly making only her fifth start, was one of three British Champions Day winners for Shadwell Stable along with Baaeed in the Queen Elizabeth II and Aldaary in the Balmoral Handicap. Jim Crowley rode all three horses.
Eshaada raced once at age 2 and had run well in her first two starts of 2021, but had finished last of seven in her most recent start, the Aug. 19 Yorkshire Oaks, won in a romp by Snowfall. But while Snowfall’s form has dropped off her summer peak, Eshaada stepped up with a career-best race Saturday, stalking the pace and gamely holding off 3-1 shot Albaflora. Eshaada, who paid $43.80 to win, is a homebred by Muhaarar out of Muhawalah, by Nayef.
Snowfall, who was mentioned as a Breeders’ Cup hope throughout much of the summer and fall, won’t start again this year.
*** Favored Trueshan overcame a wide trip and for the second year won the two-mile Group 2 British Champions Long Distance Cup. Trueshan and jockey Hollie Doyle got home by 1 1/2 lengths over Tashkan with Stradivarious third after a difficult journey. Alan King trains Trueshan ($3.30), a 5-year-old son of Planteur who now is 4 for 4 in turf races at two miles or farther.