Massaat defies year layoff to slam Hungerford rivals at Newbury
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
_By Racinguk.com staff _
Massaat defied a 373-day absence to win the Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
Trainer Owen Burrows had warned in the build-up to the seven-furlong Group Two that last season's 2000 Guineas runner-up would be "rusty".
But the four-year-old son of Teofilo dazzled upon his return to the fray and ended up winning by a length and three-quarters from Librisa Breeze.
Nathra was third, another half a length in arrears.
Burrows said: "What a great surprise. He'd been working nicely, but I just thought he'd be rusty.
"Obviously it was seven furlongs and he was second in the Guineas.
"I was just looking to get him back on track and he's done it impressively.
"He had a chip removed from his fetlock after Salisbury then he injured himself and went back to Shadwell.
"It's been a big team effort to get him back.
"Fingers crossed he'll be fine after the race and we can plot then.
"We'd have to look at Group Ones now. He is entered on Champions Day (QEII Stakes), but I think it is important he has a bit of cut in the ground.
"I'm not saying he wants it soft but it was pretty firm at Salisbury when he injured himself so I'll certainly keep him away from that ground now."
Massaat had a chip removed from a fetlock after finishing last at Salisbury a year ago and then injured himself recuperating at Shadwell, owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's stud.
Jockey Jim Crowley said: "It was a great training performance to bring him back.
"He loved that slower ground, it's quite important to him.
"He was a little bit fresh and free early on but he saw the race out well."
Trainer Dean Ivory said of the runner-up: "He was squeezed for room and he lost a couple of lengths when we had to switch him. "His neck turned to come straight again and the winner has got first run on us.
"The horse deserves to win and we will get there, I hope.
"You have just got to ride him for a bit of luck but that didn't come our way."
Related posts
Racing TV presenters and pundits nominate their Flat horses to follow
Albert Einstein and Gstaad taken out of Guineas due to clerical error
Hollie Doyle: I’m trying to rebuild contacts and get things going again
Constitution Hill’s official Flat rating revealed
Ballydoyle pair could still run in Guineas after scratching mix up
Featured offers
Bet £10 Get £50 in free bets in Multis with Betfair
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets + money back if 2nd to SP fav with Boyle Sports
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets with Virgin Bet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
£30 in free bets when you bet £5 with Ladbrokes
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Get a £50 free bet when you bet £50 with Coral
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved