Phoenix Rises from the Flames
Mon 20 May 2024
WINNER 35 OF 2024: ZIGGY'S PHOENIX, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Sean Levey: 'The Sky Bet Acca Freeze Fillies' Handicap' over 1m at Newmarket in the Sky Bet Sunday Series.
A beautiful sunny late afternoon/early evening racing at HQ, for the first of the valuable Sky Bet Sunday Series, covered by ITV Racing. Our filly was trying a mile for the first time, as well as being fitted with first time cheek pieces and she was unaware that she was the 66/1 outsider of the field!
From stall 7, which was pretty much in the middle she broke well, with Sean deciding to come across to the near side, taking the larger group along. This left four horses down the centre, leading the race. The two groups merged 3f from home, with Ziggy's Phoenix then taking the overall lead. Sean asked her for a finishing effort and even though she faced challenges on either side, she ran on well to win by 3/4 of a length and take the £10,800 first prize!
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/2024-05-19/newmarket/1845
Timeform rated it as a career best 84 performance, saying: "Caused a major surprise reunited with a fully-fledged rider, the longer trip, fitting of cheekpieces and being reverted to front-running tactics (now 2-2 under such) all possibly catalysts, though it's highly likely that track position was also a major factor having been near the rail throughout; raced stand side, led group, led under pressure over 2f out, tackled entering final 1f, found extra.”
Here's Sean being interviewed for ITV Racing:
Syndicate manager Tim says: "Another plan that came together! For a filly that was winning over 5f early on in her 2 year-old campaign - including the Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes at Chester- she did that well and was really tough in the finish. I am really delighted for her owners, she is such a sweet filly. She must have watched her 'sister' Ziggy's Dream winning on Saturday and wanted to enhance the Ziggy family record!"
Here she is this morning back at Herridge enjoying the sun and a tasty pick of grass