Mick Channon finally secured his first Classic victory when Samitar sprung a minor surprise in the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh.
The former England international footballer began his training career in 1990 and while he has enjoyed plenty of big-race success in various countries, the most sacred of racing prizes had eluded him.
Irish handler Aidan O’Brien is, of course, no stranger to Classic success, and having won both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday, he was aiming to keep the run going with three challengers on Sunday.
Chief candidate was hugely impressive Newmarket winner Homecoming Queen, but she was unable to take up the running and the 11-8 favourite weakened tamely in the straight to finish fourth.
Samitar had shown some smart form as a juvenile, but following disappointing efforts in a sales race at Newmarket and in the French 1000 Guineas, she was allowed to go off at 12-1 in the hands of young rider Martin Harley, having his first ride in a Classic.
The filly was travelling strongly a long way out and once a confident Harley asked his mount to quicken, she responded impressively to put the race to bed.
O’Brien-trained outsider Ishvana filled the runner-up spot, a length and a half away, with Princess Sinead third.
A trip to Royal Ascot now beckons for Samitar but Channon is already resigned to the fact the filly will be heading across the Atlantic before the end of the year to run for her American owner, Martin Schwartz.
“I’m delighted she’s found her form,” Channon said.
“I kept saying she’s a good filly and it is hard for people to keep believing in you when things go wrong.
“She’ll go for the Coronation Stakes (Royal Ascot) and she was bought by the owner (Martin Schwartz) to go to America. Hopefully after to winning today I’ll keep her until September.”
