Sir Ron Priestley Gains Third Stakes Win Of The Season

Sir Ron Priestley (5h Australia - Reckoning, by Danehill Dancer) proved as game as ever at Newmarket on Thursday when battling under a penalty to win the Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Tattersalls Stakes.

Making all, as customary, under Franny Norton, the Mark Johnston-trained colt was shaken up three furlongs from home and was pushed along a furlong later. Ridden when challenged by the favourite Al Aasy, the chesnut dug deep to prevail by a neck on the line.

Speaking after the race, assistant trainer Charlie Johnston said, “On this ground he's tough to pass and I thought we'd be in business if we got in a fight with the favourite.” On future plans for the Paul Dean-owned entire, he added, “His main target is the Irish St Leger, but he'll have a run before then and we could supplement him for Goodwood.”

Thursday marked a third Stakes success of the season for Sir Ron Priestly, who recorded five career wins as a three-year-old, and ended that season by claiming runners-up honours in the St Leger. The son of Australia was bred by Mascalls Stud out of Stakes performer Reckoning (Danehill Dancer).