Enfjaar (8/1) returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time in just over two years with an enterprising front-running ride from Ray Dawson in the G3 Coral Glorious Stakes.
The six-year-old had posted a string of creditable efforts in Stakes company following his 2024 John Smith’s Cup victory, including when third in the Listed Fitzdares Festival Stakes at the track in May.
Tackling a mile and a half for the first time, Enfjaar set steady fractions before quickening the tempo entering the final three furlongs. William Haggas-trained stablemates Opportunity (15/8F) and Al Aasy (9/2) emerged as the main threats, but Roger Varian’s runner kept finding to win by just over a length.
Varian said: “It was a great ride from Ray. It was the first time the horse had gone a mile and a half, so maybe the trainer should have pulled his finger out and got his trip right a couple of years ago!
“You do not always necessarily want to be in front stepping up in trip, but there did not look to be a lot of pace on and we said that, if he broke on terms and relaxed, to ride the situation. The horse has the best chance of getting the trip if he is relaxed, regardless of his position. It was a lovely bit of riding. A big shout out to the owners, as it is the first winner in the Standish colours.
“I did say to the owners this morning that, if this worked, it was going to open up a few new doors. We have explored the mile-and-a-quarter programme pretty strongly over the last two years. He has always been a talented horse, although this might be his first win since the John Smith’s Cup. He has run some fine races, including in the Wolferton this year when he had no luck in running, and in the same race last year. He is very capable on his day and beat a strong field today, so I am delighted.
“I have only just learnt about the Caulfield Cup berth [granted to the winner] a minute or two ago. The new owners bought the horse hoping for a bit of fun this summer, not to over-race him, and maybe for an international campaign. Whether it is that route or another, we will have to see, but it is certainly worth considering.”
Dawson said: “I am delighted for the horse and the owners. Enfjaar has had two rough runs on his last two starts. At Ascot, he did well to stay on his feet, and the last time we ran him here, at the beginning of the year, they went steady and he was just a bit unfortunate.
“Today, we had no plan. If he jumped well and got into a rhythm, it was the best way to get him to stay, stepping up in trip. He stayed it very well and has answered that question, so I am delighted. He is very tough and has a big engine.
“He won a John Smith’s Cup off a high mark a couple of years back, so he has always had the ability. I think it was the first time he has ever made the running like that, but when he felt the horses come to him, he found another gear and lengthened all the way to the line.”
Winning co-owner Tristan Standish said: “Lope De Vega horses can get a mile and a half. Roger just thinks that horse is great. It is a terrible shame for Shadwell to have sold Enfjaar to us, and I mean that in a nice way. We bought him very well. There was no horse that even challenged him. Ray rode him out last week. He is a galloping horse, he is not a sprinter, but he has never really front-run, I do not think. Today, we learnt a lot about him.
“Up until November, we had none [horses in training], and now we have five with Roger. I have come from a financial background, and I find horse racing very interesting if you look at it from an industrial point of view, from the bloodstock side. The most important point is Roger Varian. From when we first met him, he was a man of absolute integrity, and we went from discussing a three-year model into a five-year programme. There was no question about whether we came from money or wealth; it was about having the right kind of understanding. Roger has been instrumental. We have got a New Bay colt, a Camelot filly. We went to the Craven and Doncaster and picked up, I hope, a very nice Cotai Glory, chosen for his conformation.”
William Haggas said of Opportunity and Al Aasy: “They both ran very well, just not quite fast enough, sadly. I think both would have appreciated slightly kinder ground. I am not complaining about the ground, it is just the way it is, but they both ran solid races.”