Pether’s Moon pounces to win Investec Coronation Cup

Pat Dobbs and Pether’s Moon (red cap) win the 2015 Investec Coronation Cup. Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com

There was a minor shock in the 2015 Investec Coronation Cup as 11/1 shot Pether’s Moon, ridden by Pat Dobbs, got the better of odds-on favourite Dolniya to win by a neck, providing horse and rider with a first Group 1 success.

French-trained duo Dolniya and Flintshire had fought out the finish to the Dubai Sheema Classic last time and they dominated the betting at Epsom, sent off at 8/11 and 7/4 respectively. For much of the race it looked as if the market had got it spot on as Dolniya, ridden by regular partner Christophe Soumillon, appeared to be moving comfortably at the head of the four-runner field. She looked in complete control as they entered the final couple of furlongs, Flintshire’s rider, Maxime Guyon, forced to go for his whip as his mount struggled to make inroads. However, the relatively-unheralded Pether’s Moon was still within touching distance and he picked up strongly once extricated from a pocket on the rail, forging ahead close home.

Flintshire finished one and a half lengths back in third, while Sheikhzayedroad, the outsider of the four-runner field, came home four lengths further back.  

Winning trainer Richard Hannon was delighted but surprised by the win as he stated: “I must admit I didn’t see that coming, but Pether’s Moon probably deserves more credit than he gets”. He went on to praise the efforts of rider Pat Dobbs who was taking over in the saddle from three-time Champion Richard Hughes. “It was a super ride. Hughesie has ridden some lovely races on him but Pether’s Moon really goes for Dobbsy”.

The five-year-old Pether’s Moon had previously seemed a notch below the very best horses on the middle-distance scene and, while this represented a career-best effort, he will need to improve further if he is to add to his Group 1 tally later in the season. Pether’s Moon is likely to receive a new Timeform rating in the low-120s which will leave him with the best part of 7 lb to find with the likes of Free Eagle, Al Kazeem and Treve.