Stardust, from the Ziggy's
Thu 11 May 2023
WINNER 36 OF 2023: ZIGGY'S PHOENIX, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Ryan Moore: The 'CAA Stellar Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes' over 6f at Chester's May Meeting.
Firstly, let's pay tribute to the stable staff and jockeys who got totally drenched at Chester yesterday. It was torrential as they were in the paddock, with some owners using the ITV Racing station for cover!
A third start for Ziggy's Phoenix after winning last time out and a second start for Ziggy's Dream, after winning on debut. No pressure, as they were the top two in the betting, with favourite 'Phoenix' wearing the blue cap first colours and 'Dream' the orange cap.
A good draw, in 1 for Ziggy's Phoenix and a smart start, saw her hold onto the rail to dispute the lead. Ryan asked her to quicken as they came to the final furlong, which she did gamely, keeping on well, unchallenged to win by 1/2 a length.
Ziggy's Dream however managed to rear as the stalls opened and ended up at the back of the pack. Kieran didn't panic and she slowly made up ground; running on very well to take 2nd, with the 3rd placed horse, 1 and a 1/2 lengths back.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Chester/10-May-2023/1330
Timeform rated it as a career best (this was her third start) 84, saying: "Made the most of her plum draw and followed up her Ripon win, broke well, led, shaken up over 1f out, kept on, ridden out”
Ryan said in his ITV Racing interview: "She had a good draw and she stepped away well. She is a very straight forward filly, with a good attitude - a nice ride.”
Regardless of the rain, owners celebrated well, taking turns to hold the beautiful trophy.
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.onlinepictureproof.com/officialphotographersonline/albums/chester/852930/browse/
Read the story, here: https://www.attheraces.com/news/2023/May/10/ziggy's-phoenix-rises-to-the-occasion-in-lily-agnes
Mike Prince was there looking after owners and was interviewed by Hayley Moore for Sky Sports Racing. He said "We are very proud, a cracking run from both fillies. Ziggy's Dream missed the break and finished like a train and Ryan was always in control on Ziggy's Phoenix. She looks like she's a black type filly and that's where we will look next. We've started the season really, really well and we have a few more nice 2 year olds to unleash as well as some good older horses."
Ziggy's Dream ran an amazing race to take a closing 2nd, after rearing as the stalls opened and being left at the back of the pack, with Timeform remarking "likely to progress further." Hayley also interviewed her trainer Alice Haynes after the race. She said: "Unfortunately she missed the break by about 5 lengths, which you can't do here and she was only beaten 1/2 a length. She will learn a lot from that and by the end of the year she will probably get 7 furlongs. Royal Ascot would be the aim next and I would probably say The Albany Stakes." Alice joined owners for champagne too, which was great (see the photo in the gallery.)
Syndicate manager Tim says: "We are thrilled with both fillies. I was interviewed by Sky Sports Racing earlier in the day and explained the use of the different coloured caps when we have more than 1 runner in a race and thankfully, I got it right yesterday!
She also picked up a €10,000 bonus (see below) as she is Irish bred, so we look forward to spending that at the yearling sales again this year. Ziggy’s Phoenix was a £43,000 yearling purchase from Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale and Ziggy’s Dream a £24,000 yearling purchase by Robson Aguiar - we purchased her privately earlier this year. Well done to both sets of owners as they have two very nice 2-year-old fillies for the season.”