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Royal Ascot awaits Jancis after impressive Dahlia Stakes win
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 3 May 2026
The was an Irish winner with a distinct Chilean flavour in the Group Two Betfred Dahlia Stakes over nine furlongs at Newmarket today, day three of the Betfred Guineas Festival, whenJancis (18-1) came out on top.
Partnered by Sean Levey, the five-year-old Tamayuz mare was settled towards the rear of the field before she began to make significant progress quarter of a mile from home. Hitting the front inside the final furlong, she ran on well to defeat Cathedral by a length and three quarters.
Winning trainer Willie McCreery said: “Today was an early target if the ground was right – you can’t run her on soft ground, and it just knocks her back by running her on it. But she loves that quicker ground.
“They went a good gallop, and I thought at one point she wasn’t going to get there, but she showed a lot of heart.
“I am delighted with her and she loved that ground. It really suited her. After winning a Group Two today, that aim would be to get a Group One now.
“We’ll go to Royal Ascot. Arturo (Cousino, owner-breeder) has a farm in Chilie and will be over for Ascot. He is a longstanding owner and those colours have been in his family for over 90 years.
“This mare was in utero on the plane in Amsterdam to go to America and then on to Chilie, but her dam was uncomfortable on the plane and came back to Ireland – sadly she died two weeks after having this foal.
“Arturo boards his horses at Ballylinch Stud and I also train for Ballylinch Stud so that is how the connection came about.
“Arturo has a vineyard and every time Jancis wins we get a case – so we try to win as much as we can as it’s beautiful wine!
“She is named after the wine critic Jancis Robinson.”
Having landed Friday’s Listed JCB Newmarket Stakes with Ancient Egypt, trainer Charlie Johnston today saddled the winner of the equivalent contest for fillies when Spinning Lizzie (11-2) made all under Silvestre de Sousa for a six-length victory in the opening Listed Oliver Brown Pretty Polly Stakes over a mile and a quarter.
Charlie Johnston said: “I wasn’t certain that the step up in trip would suit and it’s a bit like with Ancient Egypt – you’ve got to be adaptable and think on your feet.
“This filly came here during the Craven Meeting to gallop and finished just behind Venetian Lace, so we left there thinking she was clearly in good fettle. The plan has been to start in the Michael Seely at York but when I saw the entries for this race on Monday morning, I thought it was worth a look at.
“Physically, she has grown a huge amount from two to three. Her pedigree wouldn’t suggest this trip but physically she looks like a mile and a quarter filly, so we thought we would have a try at the distance today.
“She has clearly stayed it well and quite where we go now – I’ve no idea. The Irish Guineas is her only entry at the moment, but I wouldn’t have thought we’d come back in trip after today.
“She hadn’t wintered great and was quite light through the spring. She hadn’t done a lot of work before she came here at the Craven and, frustratingly, I hadn’t been too ambitious with the entries up until now – that might have to change after that.
“Today’s trip feels right – she has a nice blend of speed and stamina.”
The £100,000 Betfred Handicap over a mile and six furlongs went to Goblet Of Fire (Nicky Henderson/Saffie Osborne, 4-1).
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