Impressive Group 3 Winner Continues Terrific Season For Gleneagles

Royal Scotsman (4c Gleneagles – Enrol, by Pivotal) never saw another rival when returning to winning ways in the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom on Saturday.

Paul and Oliver Cole’s charge was a brilliant juvenile, winning the Group 2 Richmond Stakes in record time and was beaten just a head in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes, and returned as a three-year-old to finish third in the 2,000 Guineas. Ridden to make all by Jamie Spencer on Saturday, he eased clear before the two furlong pole and was ridden out inside the final furlong to score by two and a quarter lengths, unchallenged.

Spencer later revealed he was always confident his mount had plenty left in the tank. “You can tell a lot by their ears,” he explained. “I saw coming down to Tattenham Corner that he was pricking his inside ear and that was showing me he had plenty to offer.”

“We’ve always thought a lot of this horse,” Oliver Cole added. “He had a couple of disappointing runs after the Guineas last year when he had bone bruising. The plan was always to go forward and let him relax in front and we couldn’t be more happy with how it went.”

Royal Scotsman is owned by Mrs Fitri Hay, who has enjoyed great success with Gleneagles, courtesy of Grade 1 victor Highland Chief (Gleneagles). Her latest winner was bred by Rabbah Bloodstock and sold for 125,000gns as a yearling.

Gleneagles is enjoying a tremendous season so far, with impressive Derby Trial victor Ambiente Friendly (Gleneagles) finishing a gallant second to City Of Troy in the Epsom Classic. Progressive three-year-old Calandagan (Gleneagles) recently recorded back-to-back Group 3 wins, while Mill Stream (Gleneagles) demonstrated his sire's versatility when landing a Group 2 sprint at York.