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Jul 29, 2023

Millionaires, racing royalty and unbeaten champions

ITS UNEARTHED millionaires, racing royalty and unbeaten champion two-year-olds - not bad for a £34,000 Group 3 on a fairly drab weekend of racing. The Solario Stakes at Sandown seems to have a habit

ITS UNEARTHED millionaires, racing royalty and unbeaten champion two-year-olds - not bad for a £34,000 Group 3 on a fairly drab weekend of racing.

The Solario Stakes at Sandown seems to have a habit for unveiling special horses since its inception in 1978.

Oh So Sharp was the first winner of real note in 1984 and the Fillies' Triple crown winner was so good, she has races named after her.

In more recent history, the first British horse to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, Raven's Pass, landed the race in 2007.

2013 winner Kingman is a much loved horse who went agonisingly close to winning the Derby, while Masar provided Godolphin its first Derby win four years later.

Too Darn Hot went unbeaten as a two-year-old and was named champion juvenile colt in 2018 by Cartier. He went on to win three Group 1s and earn £1.3million in prize money.

Reach For The Moon was once considered a Derby contender in the Royal silks and the most recent winner Silver Knott was beaten a nose at the Breeders' Cup in November.

Not a bad roll of honour, so who's next to roll off the Solario conveyor belt?

The obvious one is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Starlore, who is bred to be very smart.

He showed a game attitude to win on debut and although the second failed to win next time, the third has since easily won a maiden and a Listed race.

Stoute's horses tend to keep improving as they gain experience and he won't be far away.

Another debut winner was Aablan, the first foal of four-time Group 2 winner Promising Run.

Godolphin are struggling this year, but his debut form is strong and he's another who should step forward plenty, while Mortlake was impressive at Leicester when last seen.

He was ridden by Rossa Ryan that day and he is certainly keen on his chances.

Ryan said: "Someone told me he broke the track record at Leicester.

"He was visually very impressive and given the form of Ralph Beckett's horses, he should improve plenty from that.

"Every time I ride for him at the moment, regardless of their price, I know they have a great chance."

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