Monday 25 April 2022
Friday’s card at Sandown produced a new Group winner for SIYOUNI when five-year-old Lights On won the Gr.2 Bet365 Mile in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud, defeating three-time Group 1 winner Alcohol Free.
She became the first filly or mare to win the race since 1994.
Chris Richardson, Managing Director of Cheveley Park Stud, said: “It’s fantastic, the pressure was on a little bit for the Flat horses! She’s a super filly and Ryan gave her the perfect ride, while Michael [Stoute] has done a fantastic job with her at home.
“The ground is obviously a serious factor and there was a bit of ease in the ground so it’s nice to have kept the filly in training and she’s rewarded us.
“I think our next race will depend on the ground. She definitely needs a bit of ease in the ground and Ryan says she might stay a bit further so races like the Falmouth and the Sun Chariot will come into consideration.
“We’ll have to wait for the ground as that’s the key with her. I suppose that we’ve had such a dry spell that you’d hope that some rain is going to come so it’s just going to be a question of making lots of entries and dreaming.
“As a team we’re absolutely thrilled, I know Mrs Thompson is watching at home with Richard (the owners of Cheveley Park Stud) and they’ll be shouting at the telly so it’s fantastic.”
Lights On, who was bred by London Thoroughbred services and purchased by Cheveley Park as a foal at Tattersalls for 250,000gns, is a half-sister to Group 3 winner and Karar and hails from the family of Group 1 winner Lucarno.
At the same meeting, a daughter of SEA THE STARS propelled herself into the Oaks picture with an impressive nine-and-a-half-length win in the Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
Emily Upjohn’s only previous run had been a Maiden victory at the end of last season.
Jockey Frankie Dettori was full of praise for the filly: “I rode her the other day and thought wow. Not many horses take my breath away, but you like to see them do it in the afternoon.
“When I rode her the other morning, we just did routine work and didn't press any buttons but she gave me the right feel. We went quite slow in the race actually, nobody wanted to go a proper pace as they are all still learning, so I kicked way early because I knew that she's a lengthener and that the sprint would not suit me. I'm very confident she'll get a mile and a half and physique-wise she's very mature for a three-year-old.
“She's a big girl, but she's not slow so she's everything you want really. I'm overwhelmed and delighted and we can now pitch her up in a trial and see what happens. Enable was big and it never stopped her! If they're good, they go at Epsom.”
Trainer Thady Gosden added: “The Musidora would be the obvious choice, York's a great track and it will be a hot race but she's done it well today.”
Emily Upjohn was bred by Lordship Stud and Sunderland Holding Inc, and is a granddaughter of the Aga Khan Stud’s Hazaradjat, her family being that of dual Classic winners HARZAND and Hurricane Lane.
