Classic trials continued overnight in the UK with the Group III Chester Vase and Listed Cheshire Oaks producing two exciting new stakes-winners, but for one of them the glory of victory was short lived.
The Group III Chester Vase (1m4 ½ f) was won by the Godolphin runner Hidden Law, who was having his third run this year in his first attempt at Black Type. The Dubawi colt was second on debut and then won a maiden at Newbury before stepping easily up in grade here to race clear and win by three lengths with William Buick in the saddle.
Hidden Law tragically broke down and sustained a fatal injury shortly after the winning post.
Charlie Appleby said: “William [Buick] was delighted with Hidden Law throughout the race – he was on the right lead, switched his leads correctly and did everything perfectly. Unfortunately, he put in a false step when crossing the road just after the line and landed wrong. He sustained a fracture to his right front foreleg and had to be euthanised. Thankfully, William appears to be fine.
“I am deeply sorry for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and all the team at Godolphin, who had done such a great job with Hidden Law. We are all very saddened by the passing of a horse who appeared to have such a bright future."
A homebred for Godolphin, Hidden Law was a full brother to stakes-winner Final Gesture from Group II winning Galileo mare Secret Gesture, a full sister to Group I winners Japan and Mogul.
The Listed Cheshire Oaks (1m 3 ½ f) was won with a tenacious finish from Forest Fairy, who made it two wins in as many starts having won a maiden at Wolverhampton on the all weather in February.
Trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden by Rossa Ryan, Forest Fairy confirmed her potential for the Group I Epsom Oaks next month.
“Forest Fairy was still a bit green as she'd never been on the grass. It's not exactly a big galloping track here so she did very well as she was very timid from coming out behind them when we straightened for home,” said Rossa Ryan.
“The one thing she does well is try awful hard and she dug deep for me. I'd be very disappointed if she didn't take a massive stride on from this and improve again. She'll improve as well when the ground gets softer too. She gets a mile and a half well but she could stretch out further, she has the right mentality to do that. For the time being the mile and a half is right for her.”
Forest Fairy was purchased for €78,000 from the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale by her trainer and is from the first crop of Galileo’s Arc winning son Waldgeist.
She is also the first winner for Bahama Girl, a winning Lope de Vega grand-daughter of Champion German Filly Borgia.
Forest Fairy is the first stakes-winner for Waldgeist, who stands at Ballylinch Stud at a fee of €10,000. He has sired nine winners from 39 starters.
