Samitar winner of The Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas Gr-1

Mick Cannon trained Samitar pulled off a remarkable 12-1 upset, in the G1 Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas. The West Ilsley based trainer could finally lay his hands on his first Irish Classic, which was hard to pin down for a long time. Leading apprentice Martin Harley was astride the Rock Of Gibraltar filly.

Newmarket heroine (1000 Guineas winner) Homecoming Queen replicated her front running style and set off to lead the field from the start. Samitar found the pace to her liking and settled in third behind La Collina. Making headway 2 furlongs out, Samitar pounced on Homecoming Queen, who had by then started to show distress signals and sneaked to lead over the last furlong. Homecoming Queen failed to accelerate and finished fourth. Ishvana landed second, a length and a half behind the winner, while Princess Sinead took the third spot.

"I am chuffed for Martin,” said Channon,” he is a good lad and a hard-working lad. It is a good day for him and the owners and everybody back at West Ilsley." Speaking about the winning filly he added,"she did it great. She needs holding up and giving a chance and I said at halfway 'she pisses it'. She ran in a bog in France but got her ground today. I would imagine it will be the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot next.”