Siyouma takes Sun Chariot after Elusive Kate stumbles

The 4-year-old filly Siyouma scored the biggest win of her career Saturday at Newmarket when she landed the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes by three-quarters of a length over Elusive Kate.

Siyouma, a France-based Medicean filly owned by Robert Jeffcock and trained by Francois Doumen, had finished fifth and third in her first two tries at the Group 1 level. She continued a string of Sun Chariot success for French shippers, who have won the race four years running.

Her task was made easier by the fact that Elusive Kate stumbled badly leaving the gate, and by the total no-show from well backed Beauty Parlour, who was making her first start in the care of trainer Henry Cecil. Elusive Kate worked her way into a contending position and pushed past pace-setting Laugh Out Loud, but she could not quite kick home with the winner while drifting out in the final furlong. Gerald Mosse rode Siyouma, whose connections mentioned the E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine as a potential next start.

Earlier on the card. Steeler gamely won the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes by one length over Artigiano. Steeler, by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass, gained a fees-paid berth into the BC Juvenile Turf, the Royal Lodge being a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, but trainer Mark Johnston said the Racing Post Trophy would be Steeler’s primary fall objective. Steeler, ridden by Kieren Fallon, has won three of his five starts.

In the Group 1 Cheveley Park for 2-year-old filly sprinters, Rosdhu Queen won her fourth race without a loss, bravely turning back Winning Express after making the pace in the six-furlong dash. Johnny Murtagh rode for trainer William Haggas.

Frankel works in company

Before the Newmarket program began, two-time champion Frankel worked one mile over the racecourse in the company of stablemates Bullet Train and Specific Gravity. Frankel was prepping for the Champion Stakes on Oct. 20 at Ascot, a race widely expected to be the career finale for the unbeaten superstar.

“You never say never, but I imagine his final run will be at Ascot,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for Prince Khalid Abdulla’s Juddmonte Farms. “The Prince will make the decision, but at the moment that’s the idea.”