Grey takes gold in the Sapphire

UK trained runners dominated the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes, with Havana Grey leading home a 1, 2, 3 for the raiding party.

Trained in North Yorkshire by Karl Burke, the three-year-old son of Havana Gold was successful four times as a two-year-old, winning the Group 3 Molcomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in August.

Without a win in four starts this season, the grey colt was last seen finishing sixth in the Temple Stakes at Haydock in May.

Sent off at 10/1 today, he raced toward the head of affairs throughout under PJ McDonald.

He was ridden and held a definite advantage from over a furlong out, keeping on well from there to score by a length in the colours of the Global Racing Club and Burke's wife Elaine. Caspian Prince (5/2), who also raced prominently, finished second under Colin Keane for Mick Appleby, while the 2/1 favourite Mabs Cross was another half a length back in third.

McDonald, who is originally from Taghmon in Co Wexford, said: "It wasn't really a surprise because we always knew the ability was there.

"For some reason or another he just wasn't firing early on in the year. We knew it was a tough task taking on older sprinters and his first couple of runs were always going to be difficult.

"Fair play to Karl, he didn't panic and let him come good. I haven't seen this horse since the last day I rode him and Lucy (Burke) has been riding him every day for the last two months, so fair play to her. They've got him back and fingers crossed now we can have a good end to the season.

"I was always happy to stay away from him (Caspian Prince) as I didn't want to get into a duel early on. My horse can make all so I'm not afraid to race on my own with him.

"Me and Karl decided we would stay over that side and if he was on song he'd be there with a chance and if he wasn't it didn't really matter where he ended up.

"It was a great training performance to get him back today and fingers crossed now he can keep progressing and he should be a decent sprinter by the end of the year."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson