Hot favourite Terebellum could finish only third as her stablemate Nazeef stole the show in the Group One Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.
Having gone down narrowly to Circus Maximus in a pulsating renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, the John Gosden-trained Terebellum was all the rage to bounce back to winning ways as the 5-6 favourite – and set out to make all the running under Frankie Dettori.
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Nazeef had won each of her five starts since finishing third on her July Course debut in June of last year, including a Royal meeting victory in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.
She was a 9-2 shot in the hands of Jim Crowley.
Terebellum still held sway entering the final furlong, but was reeled in by both Nazeef and Billesdon Brook in the closing stages, with the former emerging triumphant by a neck.
Billesdon Brook – winner of the 1000 Guineas in 2018 – ran her best race of the season so far in second, with Terebellum having to make do with minor honours again in a close-up third.
“She’s as tough as nails and she’s improved with every run,” Crowley said.
“That’s six races in a row she’s won now – she’s climbed her way up the ladder. She’s a really gorgeous-looking filly as well, with plenty of size and scope about her.
“She is so versatile and would probably stay a bit further. I actually thought at Ascot she needed every yard of the mile to win and you could argue it was the same today.
“I’m not sure what the plan is – that’s up to connections.
“If they wanted to stick at a mile with her they could, or if they wanted to step up to 10 furlongs, I think she’d be competitive in a Nassau Stakes or something.
“Wherever she goes, it’s just a pleasure to ride her.”
