Native Shines Bright For Lesser Lights

Two of racing's unsung heroes, John Best and Jimmy Quinn, enjoyed by far the best day of their careers as the two-year-old Kingsgate Native stormed away with the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Quinn has been toiling around the country in search of winners for what seems like decades, while the affable Best has quickly built his Kent yard up from nothing to a force to be reckoned with.

But the stats were against Kingsgate Native, who despite being only a 12-1 shot, had not even managed a win from his first two starts and was trying to become only the second juvenile in 50 years to take the Group One prize.

However, he travelled beautifully throughout and when asked for an effort at the furlong pole, he scorched one and three-quarter lengths clear of long-time leader Desert Lord.

Best was in America buying yearlings, but said: 'That's unbelievable. I'm out in Florida and I think the sales ring is going to empty as so many people were cheering him on.

'It's justice really after his two near-misses this season. He's some horse ? I wouldn't have started him off in the Windsor Castle Stakes if I thought otherwise.

'I'm thrilled for the owners, who have always stood by me, and at least I'll have some money to get some more now!'

Owner John Mayne added: 'It had always surprised me that more two-year-olds don't do this race and our only worry was that he would be a shy little boy and get bullied out of it.

'But he's a good strong two-year-old and that was just exhilarating.

'It will have taken a lot out of him, but if we were going to go to war again this season it could be in the Prix de l'Abbaye.'

Desert Lord continues to progress steadily towards a bid for back-to-back victories in the Abbaye and was just a head in front of the 9-4 favourite Dandy Man, who ran another sound race, though a Group One victory continues to elude him.

Desert Lord's trainer Kevin Ryan said: 'His Group One penalty has been something of a burden, but we were delighted with that and he will go straight for the Prix de l'Abbaye again now.'

Irish handler Tracey Collins added of Dandy Man: 'He's in the Abbaye, the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock and a Group Three at the Curragh and has plenty of options. We'll have to see how he comes out of this, but it was another good run.'

Red Clubs stayed on well for fourth, with assistant trainer Charlie Hills explaining: 'He was unlucky to be out on his own and six furlongs is a better distance for him. He'll go to Haydock next.'

Last year's winner Reverence was the principal disappointment, trailing home last of all, but it transpired he had burst a blood vessel.

Trainer Eric Alston said: 'He'll definitely have to miss Haydock now, but hopefully we'll have him ready for the Abbaye.'

(C) PA Sport