Fonteyn is Just brilliant in Sun Chariot Stakes

Fonteyn caused a major surprise when just getting the better of fellow three-year-old Laurel to win the Royal Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes. In doing so she provided veteran rider Neil Callan with his first British Group 1 success since 2013.

Despite being sent off at sizable odds of 16/1, both the rider and trainer were confident their horse would outrun her odds.

Having raced a little keenly in the early stages the daughter of Farhh settled on the rail under Callan, taking a prominent position in a race run at a steady tempo.

As the pace quickened with two furlongs to run the leaders fanned out and it was the previously unbeaten Laurel who made the most stylish move. The Juddmonte-owned filly scooted into the lead with a furlong to run, but Fonteyn was showing huge resolve on the near-side rail to not let her get away.

After a brief duel Kevin Ryan’s filly began to assert, pulling clear by a decisive length – much to the delight of rider Neil Callan who roared with joy as the crossed the finish line.

Speaking after the race Callan said: “Kevin rang me the other day to say he’d been dying to get me on a good filly and thought she was it.

“He was quite bullish and she looked magnificent in the paddock. She really picked up well up the hill.”