FIVE GROUP 1 WINS FOR INSPIRAL AFTER SUN CHARIOT STAKES VICTORY
INSPIRAL (GB) was a breathtaking winner of the Group 1 Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes part of the QIPCO British Champions Series on Saturday, 7th October. It was the filly’s fifth Group 1 success for trainers John and Thady Gosden and owner-breeder Cheveley Park Stud having won at the highest level as a two, three and four-year-old.
Inspiral raced in midfield before moving up to challenge for the lead and after hitting the front just inside the final quarter mile, it was a forgone conclusion as Cheveley Park Stud’s homebred daughter of FRANKEL (GB) powered home to win by three and three-quarter lengths from French challenger MQSE DE SEVIGNE. The race was significant too for Frankie Dettori as he recorded his 500th Newmarket victory in his final month riding in Britain.
By Juddmonte Farm’s world-leading sire Frankel and out of STARSCOPE (GB), Inspiral is a fourth-generation home-bred for Mrs Patricia Thompson’s, Cheveley Park Stud. Frankel has now sired 26 Group winners in 2023, with demand for his progeny evident last week during the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 when a colt by the super sire consigned by Hascombe & Valiant Stud emerged as the top lot, selling to M V Magnier & White Birch Farm for two million guineas.
Group 1 winning form over a mile can be found in Inspiral’s pedigree. Dam Starscope finished second in the 2012 Group 1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes while second dam MOON GODDESS (GB) was a half-sister to the late dual Group 1 winner and subsequent Cheveley Park Stud stallion MEDICEAN (GB).
Inspiral is now the leading filly or mare over a mile in Europe ahead of stablemate NASHWA (GB), also by Frankel, and the joint top-rated of her sex in Europe this year, alongside another stablemate in EMILY UPJOHN (GB).
Chris Richardson, Cheveley Park Stud’s Managing Director shared his thoughts with Great British Racing International:
“To breed a horse like Inspiral is hugely satisfying in every single way. You put the best to the best and hope for the best. We know Frankel crosses really well with certain outcross lines and he just suits her dam to the ground. She [Starscope] has a gorgeous foal, a full sister to Inspiral, very similar and beautifully balanced. She is a bay filly, unlike the last two that the mare had, who were chestnuts. And she is back in foal to Frankel.
“Our policy has always been to sell the colts and race the fillies. And as per our policy, the ULYSSES colt was offered last week in Book 1 and we are delighted that Michael Bell will be training him for Mr Gredley.”
Richardson went on to discuss the success of Cheveley Park Stud:
“We are very proud to have bred many good horses, most recently Group 1 winners turned stallions ADVERTISE (GB) and GOOD GUESS (GB), who came up here (at Tattersalls) and was sold as a yearling. I think it is the culmination of almost 50 years of breeding – the Thompsons have owned the stud since 1975 and we have always taken pride in being a centre of excellence. It’s all part of a plan that Mrs Thompson is heading now and we are all delighted to be part of that.”
Inspiral is entered in the QIPCO Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday week and time will tell if she ends up in the Breeders’ Cup Mile next month.