Victory on board Medicean in the Group Two Celebration Mile completed a feature-race double for championship-chasing jockey Pat Eddery at Goodwood today.
However, there was drama before the double was confirmed after Eddery`s title rival Kevin Darley objected to the victory of Medicean 'for taking my ground over one furlong out'.
After Medicean had headed early leader Bachir, Darley attempted to bring his mount Observatory through on the inside rail. As he did so, it appeared that Medicean drifted right towards the rail.
However, after a lengthy deliberation the stewards decided there was no interference and the result, a one-length victory for Medicean, stood.
The winner will now be aimed at Ascot`s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes according to trainer Sir Michael Stoute, whose only comment was: 'The best horse won today.'
Eddery`s double was instigated by Alva Glen, also trained by Stoute, in the Listed Sport On Five March Stakes.
The colt wasmaking a quick reappearance after finishing sixth in last Wednesday`s Tote Ebor at York and showed he was none the worse for that experience with a three-length success over Kuwait Trooper.
'He`s a tough bugger,' said Stoute.
'I was happy with his general condition and especially his weight on Friday and thought we`d go again.
'He`s not in the St Leger and I wouldn`t ask Sheikh Mohammed to supplement him.'
It has been quite a week for David Brotherton. In his role as chairman of the stewards panel at York Brotherton was caught in the controversy surrounding the suspensions of Eddery and Michael Kinane.
However, there was no controversy in the manner in which his home-bred gelding Surprised landed the ladbrokes.co.uk Stakes 'Showcase Handicap'.
Racing from stall 21, Surprised finished strongly to ward off the challenge of Marsad by a length, with Nineacres a further length back in third.
'It`s been quite a week,' said Brotherton, after leading in his Richard Fahey-trained winner.
'It`s lovely to have a horse like him. We were a bit worried when the ground was firm but the rain which came was perfect for him and the draw probably helped too.'
In a driving finish, Midnight Venture got the better of Senor Miro by a head in the Daily Star Racing Festival Maiden Auction Stakes to give jockey Shane Kelly his first British winner since arriving from Ireland.
The colt benefited from a change of conditions, according to trainer Linda Stubbs.
'It was too hard for him when he ran at Carlisle last week and he didn`t like it,' said Mrs Stubbs. 'However this was perfect for him.'
