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Sacred throws down 1,000 Guineas gauntlet with Nell Gwyn Stakes win
The William Haggas-trained Sacred (3 f ex Sacre Caroline by Blame) emerged as a legitimate contender for the 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) next month when she landed the Nell Gwyn Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at Newmarket on Wednesday and in the process became stakes winner number 184 for Darley Australia stallion Exceed And Excel (Danehill).
The three-year-old filly was a bit tardy leaving the gates and was ridden to race on the rail by Ryan Moore. After being switched left with two furlongs left to travel, the filly was asked for her effort and responded in fine style to beat Saffron Beach (New Beach) by three-quarters of a length, while Love Is You (Kingman) was another length and a half away in third.
The three-year-old, who holds an entry for the 1,000 Guineas, stepped up in trip after a number of near misses last year, including when finishing second in the Flying Childers (Gr 2, 5f), Lowther Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) and Queen Mary Stakes (Gr 2, 5f).
“I'm pleased with her. Her work has always been very good and very slick this spring," Haggas told ITV Racing. "I think the ground is important to her, quick ground is a must. She got the trip well."
Asked about the possibility of running in the Guineas, the trainer added: "It's a bit of a no-brainer for me – if the ground is fast, we'll be coming back here on Guineas day. If she doesn't stay, she doesn't stay, but there's only one Guineas and she'll be here God willing."
Sacred is out of the winning Blame (Arch) mare Sacre Caroline, who was purchased by the filly’s owners Cheveley Park for 300,000gns at the 2017 Tattersalls December Mare Sale carrying the filly in utero.
Sacre Caroline herself is out of winning mare Sacre Coeur (Saint Ballado), making her a half-sister to multiple Grade 1-winning champion mare Lady Eli (Divine Park) - who was purchased for an eye-watering US$4,200,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding. Sacre Caroline also counts Grade 3 winner Bizzy Caroline (Afleet Alex) among her half-siblings.
Exceed And Excel shuttled to Europe for 16 seasons, but did not return in 2020 and has sired 16 Group 1 winners, including three-time elite level winner Bivouac, who will cover his first book of mares alongside his father at Darley Kelvinside this spring.