Senorita Bonita proves jet-propelled in Prix Morny

Senorita Bonita demonstrated her devastating turn of foot to scorch to Sumbe Prix Morny glory in Deauville.

The 900,000 guineas top lot from April’s Craven Breeze-Up sale, Simon and Ed Crisford’s filly arrived on the Normandy coast looking to follow up her victory in Newmarket’s Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, a win that received a timely boost by Lowther Stakes scorer Libertango earlier this week.

Held up towards the rear by Oisin Murphy, with Clive Cox’s Royal Ascot winner Orthodox ahead, the daughter of Starspangledbanner had plenty of ground to make up on Aidan O’Brien’s front-running Carry The Flag entering the final third of the contest.

However, once the champion jockey stepped on the accelerator the response was instant, as not only did Senorita Bonita rapidly eat away at the deficit but then surged readily clear of the long-time pace-setter for a thoroughly impressive victory.

Simon Crisford said: “She’s shown a great turn of front and obviously they set some very good fractions up front but she finished off super well – she galloped out strongly.

“She was a little bit slow out of the gates and behind the bridle early, but they were going quick and the race set up for the closers and she was the best of the closers.

“At halfway I briefly thought we might have a mountain to climb here, but she’s got such a good turn of foot that at the furlong pole you could see she was going to come home strong.”

It was the father and son training team’s second victory in the Group One race after Vandeek in 2023, while it continues the fine record of fillies in the contest following on from Venetian Sun’s triumph for Karl Burke 12 months ago.

The Victorious Racing-owned Senorita Bonita will now go in search of further top honours in Newmarket’s Cheveley Park Stakes and was made 5-2 by Paddy Power for a race where she could meet former foe Libertango once again, as well as another recent York winner, Sun Goddess.

“All roads lead now to the Cheveley Park now at the end of September and that was a fantastic performance,” continued Crisford.

“It was a deep, deep renewal and it was a really, really pleasing effort and she’s looked really impressive there.

“Any Group One is fantastic to win and we are all just delighted. It’s a great testament to the staff back at home and everyone involved and it’s great to win for Shaikh Nasser (bin Hamed Al Khalifa) and Shaikh Khalid (bin Hamed Al Khalifa).”

On the future beyond this year for Senorita Bonita, Crisford added: “She is a beautiful filly and I hope she can also have a very good three-year-old campaign. She is clearly among the very best two-year-old fillies. When you look at her dam’s side, there is also a lot to like. You can certainly imagine her developing into a Classic filly.

“I genuinely believe that. Her dam is by Ruler Of The World and it is a family with stamina. Physically, to be honest, she doesn’t look like a staying filly. She looks more like a 1,200-metre (six-furlong) filly. But next year we will certainly try stepping her up in trip.

“Obviously, we need to discuss everything with Shaikh Khalid and Shaikh Nasser. They will decide on her programme. But they have bought a very good one here.”