Sun Chariot Stakes: Tamfana powers to Newmarket Group One glory for David Menuisier and Colin Keane

Tamfana provided David Menuisier with an overdue first Group One victory of the season courtesy of an impressive display in the Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket, with Inspiral running a gallant race in second.

Having seen Tamfana, Sunway and Wind Chime finish placed in some of the most prestigious races on the calendar, Menuisier can finally celebrate dining at the top table.

With Oisin Murphy claimed to ride the well-backed See The Fire by Andrew Balding, the Frenchman moved swiftly to secure the services of Colin Keane, who despite having never previously won a Group One in England has ridden plenty in Ireland where he is champion jockey.

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It proved an inspired choice as, with Inspiral missing the kick as she has developed a habit of doing, Tamfana broke smartly and sat in second behind Darnation.

With Nashwa proving too keen for Hollie Doyle on her first run since Dubai and See The Fire never really threatening to land a blow, it was left to Tamfana to take up the running well over a furlong out.

Inspiral made up plenty of ground under Robert Havlin to claim second, but she was beaten two lengths by the 2/1 favourite, who had previously finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas, third in the French Oaks and fourth in the Grand Prix de Paris.

A delighted Menuisier said: "She did exactly what we hoped she would. We kept it simple, I said to Colin she travels well and quickens, just keep it simple. Wherever you are respect the filly and she will take you there.

"For once everything went smoothly and she really deserves this. It's a big monkey off our back getting this first Group One, we have a few more big runners this weekend - come on let's go and get them.

"It's great for syndicates (Quantum Leap Racing) to be rewarded and this filly was bought for €20,000… €20,000! She's gone and beat horses by the biggest owners in the world and it is just magic."

Tamfana holds an entry in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Qipco British Champions Day and her trainer was not ruling out a quick return to action at Ascot in two week's time.

"We will see how the filly she is. She goes on any ground, but at this time of year you just have to play it by ear," continued Menuisier.

"We will enjoy today and then see how she goes in the next couple of weeks.

"It's a big sense of achievement this win today, especially when you feel you have missed out a few times. I'm just glad for the filly, before myself. I'm delighted for the horse."

For Tamfana's jockey, it was a first time linking up with Menuisier and Murphy's misfortune at missing out on the ride proved to be the perennial Irish champion jockey's gain.

Keane said: "I found out Thursday morning I was riding her. It's unfortunate for Oisin and he had to ride for Andrew (Balding), but it was a brilliant spare to get and I was delighted to get the phone call. It's the first time I have ridden for David, but they seem a great bunch of connections and I'm delighted for them all.

"I can understand why she had been stepped up in trip before, we didn't go overly mad, but if you saw her in a true-run mile I think you would see an even better filly again.

"She pinged the gates and rolled forward and just kept it straightforward. She travelled to the front very easy and I would have loved it if Sam (James, on Darnation) was able to bring her a little bit further.

"I wasn't sure what was coming from behind and I knew Inspiral on her best day would be the one to beat. I wasn't sure how far away she was, but thankfully my filly quickened away well."

Of the John and Thady Gosden-trained Inspiral, who counts this race 12 months ago on a CV adorned with six Group One triumphs, Richard Thompson of Cheveley Park Stud said: "It's been brilliant and what a journey with her. Six Group Ones, a Breeders' Cup, a couple of Jacques le Marois and a Coronation Stakes.

"Chris (Richardson, Cheveley Park racing manager) and the team at the stud obviously bred her and she has been marvellous for my family and for my mother who will be at home watching. It's been a brilliant journey."

Regal performance from The Dragon King at Newmarket

The Dragon King miraculously came from last to first to scoop the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes at Newmarket.

Clive Cox's youngster was not even in the frame as 7-4 favourite Brighton Boy passed eventual third Ruby's Profit and made his bid for home.

However, flying home at a rate of knots was William Buick aboard the Middleham Park Racing-owned 5-1 chance, to storm to a length success.

Tom Palin of Middleham Park Racing was left speechless with the result and although entered in the horses of training sale later this month, The Dragon King may have earned himself another appearance in the blue and orange of the owners.

Palin said: "That's not the conventional way to win a race at Newmarket!

"I don't really know what to make of the entire race, I was kind of wondering how I explain this and thinking it could be a long day if the one I thought had the best chance (out of all the owners runners) had done that.

"He's a horse who always gives his all and he needed to give his all there, fair play to William for keeping going. For once I'm speechless, I'm lost for words.

"We haven't won this one before but we're working our way through them and there's a couple more to come. I need to speak to Clive and he is in the sale, but he might have given himself a stay of execution there.

"There's a Group Two Eddie's Boy was second in behind Charyn (Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly) and we could supplement for that, that could be an option, but I will speak to Clive. This was the race we had in mind, but maybe not now."

There was a double for Harry Davies aboard David Menuisier's Ashariba (6-1) in the British EBF Premier Fillies' Handicap and William Haggas' Chorus (7-1) in the British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies' Handicap, while Charlie Appleby's Secret Theory won the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Maiden Stakes at odds of 9-4.

Appleby said: "He's a nice little horse with a pedigree to die for. There is improvement in him and he's only come to hand in sort of the last six weeks.

"He's a horse that has slightly disappointed me over the course of the year and my heart was sort of ruling my head slightly because I love the family and it has been so good to us - I wanted him to be a good horse but he just wasn't showing it.

"I imagine we will put him away now and have another look in the spring. Will he be a stakes horse? He has a pedigree to be a stakes horse but we will see in the spring."

There may have been no joy for Nashwa in the feature Sun Chariot Stakes, but her half-brother Nebras made a winning debut in the hands of Hollie Doyle in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back EBF Maiden Stakes for John and Thady Gosden.

"It was a very pleasing start and he has taken a while to come to himself," said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Imad Al Sagar.

"He went into training quite late and John has brought him on and he's been very straightforward which is really encouraging.

"The nice thing was he was sort of half-asleep through the race and then picked up nicely as you would want him too. You always hope, but first time you never know and it looked a smart race. When the other horse came to him he then found a bit more and went on.

"We will see how he is and I think in John's mind he would have liked to have given him another run, but I think he was thinking we might finish second or third and then slot in a maiden so we weren't chasing one of those in the spring.

"Now I think we have to think about where we want to be and whether he needs it and how he comes out of it. Plans may have slightly changed."