The G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes turned into a one-horse show from the two-furlong pole as 11/8 market leader Kalpana quickened away in brilliant style to win the race for a second successive year.
Following her seventh in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe earlier this month, Kalpana produced her best performance of the season and, in doing so, boosted Andrew Balding’s trainers’ title hopes to the tune of £301,271.87.
Always ideally placed on the heels of the leader under Colin Keane, Kalpana kicked clear in the straight and never looked like being caught. Estrange (6/1) stayed on well into second after waiting for a run, two and a half lengths behind the winner, while French raider Quisisana (6/1) finished third.
Balding said: “That was really good. Kalpana has had a frustrating season but looked right back to her best there. Things haven’t quite gone how we wanted them to this year, but that was a pretty good performance.
“It was always a bit of a risk running her back quickly, but maybe we have underdone her all year? You never know, she seems to thrive on it. We had the full support of Barry Mahon and the Juddmonte team, which makes a big difference. When they’re right behind you, which they invariably are, it makes life a lot easier.
“I thought that Colin got her in the perfect position and watching it I didn’t have many anxious moments. It was a strong performance. We thought if she was anywhere near her best, she had an outstanding chance.
“Champions Day is a really good way to end our season and it has become an important focal point for every trainer. To get a winner is special.”
Colin Keane said: “Kalpana is very deserving of her win. It was brilliant. She has been very consistent all year. Obviously, the last day in France was a little bit disappointing, but fair play to Andrew and the team for bouncing her back quick – if you had seen her beforehand, you would not have thought that she only ran a couple of weeks ago.
“We were going steady, and the brilliant thing about her is that she’s good from the stalls and will shut down wherever you put her. She relaxes, conserves energy, and when you ask her, she is good and genuine. She is a dream to ride.”
Barry Mahon of Juddmonte said: “This is massive. This is one of the biggest days of the year in British racing and to be here with a filly like that is amazing. The owners are here and it’s nice to be able to take part – and to have a winner is extra special.
“Kalpana is tough. It didn’t work out for her in the Arc. The owners are sportsmen and said roll the dice if Andrew is happy and he gave us the green light on Wednesday – and thank God he did.”
David O’Meara said of Estrange: “We kind of feared coming down the that the draw [1] wouldn’t be helpful, and we would have preferred being down a box or two to have a smoother run. Danny had to force his way out, which wasn’t ideal, but I thought she finished the race well and was gaining on Kalpana near the line. I think they [Chris Richardson and Patricia Thompson of Cheveley Park Stud] are talking about whether she stays in training now. She has only competed in two Group Ones and has finished second in them both, so I’m sure she has got one in her.”
Estrange’s jockey Danny Tudhope added: “Obviously, the winner got the run of the race, whereas I had to sit and suffer, really, and kind of force my way out. I think I would have been closer if I had a smoother run of the race.”