Royal Ascot 2yo G3 winner for the Rock

Samitar (2f Rock Of Gibraltar-Aileen’s Gift, by Rainbow Quest) marked herself one of the best juvenile fillies seen in 2011 when running out an impressive winner of the G3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday. The Rock Of Gibraltar filly’s half-sister Nijoom Dubai, also trained by Mick Channon, landed the G3 Albany Stakes in 2007 and connections were hopeful that Samitar could step up on her debut run at Newmarket. So it proved as Jamie Spencer drove his mount to overhaul runner-up Inetrobil inside the distance and clinch a three-quarters of a length verdict. Channon, who trains the filly for owners Nick and Olga Dhandsa and John and Zoe Webster, revealed: “I bought her for some very good clients of mine and I’ve always believed in her. She was very unlucky at Newmarket when she set it up for the others. Today we’ve given her a chance and she’s done it like her half-sister.” Channon sold the dam of Samitar and Nijoom Dubai, Aileen’s Gift, to Pat and Tanya Trant of Norman Court Stud. He continued: “I’m delighted for the breeders. I sold them the mare and she’s had two Albany winners. “Samitar is a nice filly but just a shell of a horse at the moment. I’m delighted for the owners who have invested a lot of money. They haven’t even turned up today, bless them – they were here yesterday – but they’ll be so thrilled. Spencer was recording his second win of the week after yesterday’s Gold Cup triumph aboard Fame And Glory. He reported: “I rode this filly at Newmarket and she was a bit green going down into the dip that day but once she got on rising ground she really picked up - I thought she had a good chance today. “Once we got to the furlong post she changed leads and she really picked up and I’m sure she will get better as the year goes on. She’s bred to stay and she got the trip well.”