Holy Roman filly stars in G2 May Hill Stakes

Qatar Racing’s Rich Legacy (2f Holy Roman Emperor-Borghesa, by Galileo) ran out a gutsy winner of the G2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on Thursday.

Having been held up in mid-division during the early stages of the mile contest, the well-backed 3/1 second-favourite launched a powerful assault on the lead under Oisin Murphy at the furlong pole.

The two-year-old daughter of Holy Roman Emperor stayed on resolutely for Murphy's urgings in the closing stages to register a game three-quarter length success from Grecian Light.

Trainer Ralph Beckett said: "She raced very lazily but she really put it to bed well. I thought we were beat when she came past me at the half-furlong pole but she really came forward and did it well in the end. We didn't think of her as a lazy filly. She is a typical breeze-up filly. She surprised us winning first time out [Newmarket] as she hadn't shown us that form at home but they are often the best ones who save it for the track."

Beckett suggested a possible tilt at the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly in October on Arc day was on the cards. "She is in the Prix Marcel Boussac but we will see what we do with her. I wouldn't mind running her again this year,” he added.

Winning rider Oisin Murphy added: ”I was exactly where I wanted to be. The headwind is strong and she got a little bit lonely in front, but once she got in a battle she is clearly the best filly. Ralph said she would win and he was right. She loved every yard of the trip and you'd say she'd get further in time.”

Bred in Ireland by Gestut Ammerland, Rich Legacy was bought for €75,000 by David Redvers at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale in May.