Breege Blows Them Away in the City Of York Stakes

The City of York Stakes is a race that has been kind to us in recent years. In 2020 Safe Voyage took the Group 2 contest during an Indian summer for himself and then in 2021 Highfield Princess finished second behind the top class Space Blues. Therefore, it was hugely satisfying to see Breege join our stable stars and prove herself to be in the upper echelons of seven furlong performers when she took this year’s renewal on Ebor Day.

A furious early gallop meant that Colin Keane (deputising or Jason who was on Group race duty at another meeting) decided to sit last on the filly and let those at the front of the pack get on with their own thing. Turning in to the home straight she began to stalk the leaders and looked to be in with a big chance of picking up some of the huge prizemoney that was on offer. This chance grew and grew as the race developed further before it looked like she had a huge winning chance! Breege hit the front approaching the furlong pole and powered clear to win by a length and a half at the line.

This win enhances what had already been a fine campaign in 2024 with her landing the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on Derby Day. With her having now captured a Group 2 we may well be ambitious and target Group 1 glory with her. The Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Arc day would look the obvious target at this stage.