Another Stakes success for in form sire Phoenix of Spain

Cheshire Dancer (IRE) Delivers another Stakes success for in form sire Phoenix of Spain

On Saturday, 26 July 2025, Cheshire Dancer (IRE) showed her grit when winning the Longines Valiant Stakes (Group 3). Ridden by Billy Loughnane for trainer Hugo Palmer, the grey filly rallied from the rear to clinch victory in the final strides, edging out American Gal by a neck and defeating market-favourite Chantilly Lace by a head.

Bred by Ciara Eglington, Cheshire Dancer, realised €36,000 as a yearling when selling from Ballintry Stud to SackvilleDonald at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale.

Race Recap

Cheshire Dancer was patient in rear early on the Good to Firm going over 7f and 213 yards, before powering through along the outside in the last 2 furlongs to seize the lead near the line. The finishing time was 1m 39.3s, and the £48,204 winner’s cheque went to the Manor House Stables Syndicate.

Ralph Beckett’s Chantilly Lace, sent off as favourite at 11/4, was considered the horse to beat. But Phoenix Of Spain daughter showed her grit when it mattered most, with Hugo Palmer revealing that she had previously impressed at Royal Ascot, finishing third  in the Kensington Palace Stakes earlier in June

Palmer commented afterwards:

“I said to the owners when she was third at Ascot during the Royal meeting that we would go back for the Valiant and she has since run massive when second in the Pipalong Stakes at Pontefract. Sometimes when these fillies find a rich vein of form and grow in confidence they improve and it’s difficult to put your finger on how or why, but she’s found that magical moment today. I was slightly nervous during the race, it wasn’t the plan to sit last but they went an even enough gallop and she was really tough.”

 

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