Inspiral Likely to Skip Queen Anne for Prince of Wales’s Stakes
In a strategic move, the connections of the champion mare Inspiral are reportedly leaning towards skipping the prestigious Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in favor of a tilt at the Prince of Wales’s Stakes the following day.
The five-year-old Frankel mare, owned by Cheveley Park Stud, has already secured six Group One victories for trainers John and Thady Gosden. Her most recent triumph came in the sensational Coronation Stakes at last year’s Royal Ascot meeting, where she narrowly missed out on the Queen Anne, finishing second to the shock winner Triple Time.
Inspiral’s seasonal debut last month saw her finish fourth to her pacemaking stablemate and fellow Cheveley Park-owned runner Audience in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Now, the connections are exploring the option of stepping up the mare to the mile-and-a-quarter distance of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, a decision supported by her impressive Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf victory at Santa Anita in November under the guidance of jockey Frankie Dettori.
“It has obviously been given serious consideration and following her success at Santa Anita over a mile and a quarter, where she was very effective, I think it makes sense to step her up,” commented Cheveley Park’s managing director, Chris Richardson.
The reasoning behind the potential change in plans is that Inspiral’s tendency to be a little slow out of the gates might be less of a concern over the longer distance of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, compared to the straight mile of the Queen Anne.
With Inspiral’s proven class and versatility, horse racing enthusiasts eagerly await her next move as she prepares to make a strong bid for top-level honors at the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting.
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