Cercene wins the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot
Petite filly Cercene delivered beyond her dimensions when besting some of the elite fillies in Europe to take out the £725,000 G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Her triumph was a third success at the royal meeting for China Horse Club as a breeder and its most significant following Saffron Beach’s dominance in the 2022 G2 Cambridgeshire Stakes and Perotto’s success in the 2021 Britannia Stakes.
Notably it was the second Royal Ascot winner from Tschiertschen, a winner China Horse Club raced who has produced Cercene and Perotto. Cercene is also the seventh individual G1 winner for Australia who was the club’s first international superstar and raced in partnership with the Coolmore operation.
“Cercene was exceptional in the Coronation Stakes, it was a performance deserving of the biggest stage,” said Matt Houldsworth, China Horse Club’s European Representative.
“To have two Royal Ascot winners from Tschiertschen is rarified air and we are very proud of her and the record China Horse Club is building. We are also delighted for Joe Murphy, Gary Carroll and her owners.”
Cercene’s success was also a maiden G1 and maiden Royal Ascot achievement for trainer Joe Murphy and jockey Gary Carroll.
“She’s not very big, but she’s very tough,” a beaming Carroll said post-race.
“It’s unbelievable. I’ve been riding a long time now and I’ve been placed in plenty of Group 1s but this is my first [win].
“If I was ever to ride a Group 1 winner it was to be for Joe Murphy, I’ve been riding for him since I was a 7lb claimer. He’s been very, very good to me. I’m delighted to repay him. Good horses are very hard to come by. To do this at Royal Ascot is magic.”
Cercene’s triumph came at the immediate expense of runner-up Zarigana, the pinup French filly of the late Aga Khan who was chasing a second successive major after being awarded the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.
Cercene raced prominently throughout the contest before pulling clear of her rivals halfway down the straight. However, as soon as she hit the front she was challenged and headed by Zarigana who looked to have the race in her keeping. Against her more imposing rival, Cercene came again to reclaim the lead and the race.