Login
WATCH FREE
Lady Of Spain hailed as "something special" after Sandown win
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 30 Aug 2025
By Graham Clark
Lady Of Spain was hailed as ‘something special’ by her delighted connections after maintaining her unbeaten record when making her turf debut a triumphant one in the BetMGM Atalanta Stakes at Sandown Park.
The Roger Varian-trained daughter of Phoenix Of Spain made it five wins from as many starts when striking gold in the Group Three contest, which was her first start since securing a Listed contest on the all-weather at Deauville 255-days ago.
Victory appeared to be going the way of the strong travelling 100-30 favourite Bright Thunder, who breezed almost effortlessly to the front pass Spiritual inside the final quarter of a mile under Sam James.
However, her effort was to be short lived as the four-time seeking Blue Bolt, down the outside of the field and Lady Of Spain, charting a path closer to the far side running rail, moved on by to battle it out.
Despite lacking a recent run Lady Of Spain knuckled down to the task in hand well to get the better of Blue Bolt by half a length with the running on Skellet, who was anchored at the back early on, finishing a further four lengths adrift in third.
Leon Boros, part owner, said: “There were loads of question marks as it was her first time on turf and there was also the question of how she would handle the soft ground, but she has always had this great attitude.
“I think we have always done well with the horses we have chosen as we go attitude first and we saw that in her when she was very young.
“We have had to be patient with her as those by Phoenix Of Spain tend to be quite big and they put a lot of pressure on those front legs so they need time to mature. I’ve got another one called Indalo, who won a couple of days, but she is something special.
“It was a quality field and a really excellent Group Three so we had to be realistic as to what we thought.”
The victory was a welcome one for winning rider Ray Dawson, with the success his first since returning from a spell out on the sidelines with a broken rib and broken left wrist.
Dawson added: “She had been off the track a while and she had never run on turf, and it was soft ground, so she had a lot of questions we needed to ask her, but in fairness she answered them all really well.
“She has handled the conditions well and the time off the track hasn’t done her any harm. She seems like a proper filly.
“My plan was to slide forward and hopefully slot in the first five or six, but after the first furlong I noticed there was a big gap in between the four upsides me so I took her back, but I had a willing partner and she was tough as around the home bend it got tight and messy.
“She held her position, and whether that has made the difference I don’t know, but she has got a lot of ability.
“Everyone wants to get winners for Roger as he spreads the winners out very fairly. To get a winner on a Saturday on a big day like this means the world.”
Saddadd moved a significant step closer to a breakthrough outing at Group race level after proving a cut above his rivals in the Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap.
After looking a smart type on his previous start when landing the London Gold Cup at Newbury in May, the son of Pinatubo showed no signs of rustiness on his first start since that win in the £45,000 mile-and-a-quarter prize.
Coming with a well timed run down the centre of the track, the 3-1 chance stayed on strongly all the way to the line before passing the post a length and three quarters clear of Alpha Circus to complete doubles for Classic-winning trainer Varian and winning jockey Dawson.
George Tregoning, assistant to winning trainer Roger Varian, said: “He is a very progressive horse. He has been off the track since May, but we were waiting for some slightly easier ground with him.
“Although he handled faster ground earlier in the year we thought he would be a better horse with a bit of ease in the ground. They went quite hard up front, but Ray was travelling quite sweetly in behind. He has always travelled well into his races.
“We know he gets this trip really well, even on testing ground, so we knew he was going to be doing his best work at the end.”
Following the race, Saddadd was cut from 33-1 into 20-1 by some firms for the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October.
And although not firming up any future plans Tregoning admitted Saddadd’s next start was likely to be outside of handicap company.
He added: “He is the sort of horse that hopefully will step up into Group company now. He has a Champion Stakes entry, but it is up to the boss and the owner where they want to campaign him for the rest of the year.
“He is certainly an exciting horse and he might get a bit further too. He is a big horse, and with another year on his back, he will improve again."
Alan King described Deedaydiva as the ‘best two-year-old filly' he has trained following her decisive victory in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.
The daughter of Churchill built on the promise shown on her debut third at Newmarket earlier this month when going two places better in the £40,000 seven furlong event.
Striking the front over a furlong from home, the 2-1 favourite soon put the race to bed in a matter of strides before crossing the line two lengths clear of debutant Esna.
Alan King said: “For one of mine to run like she did the first time was very good as we don’t over do it at home.
“She came out of Newmarket really well and was lovely and relaxed. I had a quick flick through the programme book and I liked the look of the prize money here.
“I know it has cut up a bit with a few of the big guns coming out, but I couldn’t have asked for any more today. We always thought she would be better with a bit of dig in the ground.
“I wanted to get today out of the way and I’ve not looked beyond today. I certainly think she is the best two-year-old filly I’ve trained.
"That might not be saying a lot, but I’ve always loved her and she has a great mind.”
Related posts
Under The Radar: Paddy Magee nominates three to follow
Ross Millar's Monday tips: "he is undeniably well handicapped"
William Buick set to be reunited with Touleen at Ascot
Bond Thoroughbreds: the inside track on their top team
Trustyourinstinct flies home to land Curragh Cup
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with TalkSportBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with BallyBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Get a £50 free bet when you bet £50 with Coral
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets + Money back 2nd to SP fav with BOYLE Sports
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved