Prosperous Voyage springs shock in Falmouth Stakes

A surprise result in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes saw Prosperous Voyage get the better of the talented Inspiral to secure her first Group 1 victory at Newmarket’s July course.

A small field lined up for the Group 1, largely due to the presence of Inspiral who had dominated the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and was most people’s banker for the whole weekend.

The pace set from the start was a steady one. Propserous Voyage took up the early running with Rob Hornby setting steady fractions on the July course’s straight mile. Rob Hornby, who had been so unlucky when losing the ride on Westover in the Irish Derby would have been itching to get a Group 1 under his belt.

Entering the closing stages of the race, Inspiral the 1/7 favourite crept alongside and briefely passed Prosperous Voyage, as did Sandrine. All looked to be going well for Frankie Dettori and his reunity with John Gosden.

However the slightly longer trip of the Tattersall’s Falmouth Stakes appeared to tell for Inspiral’s challenge as she weakened in the latter stages. The same couldn’t be said for Prosperous Voyage who found a second wind the further she went.

In the end she ran through the line strongly to secure a comfortable victory and trn the tables on Inspiral. John Gosden later said “It’s quite tight between Ascot and the July meeting, this was just a little bit too tight for her. She certainly didn’t reproduce her form”.

Rob Hornby will certainly feel a weight lifted off his shoulders and the Group 1, I am sure, will fee that little bit sweeter.