Rashabar hangs on for victory in the thrilling Coventry Stakes

Rashabar saw off a late challenge from Wathnan Racing duo Electrolyte and Columnist to claim the Coventry Stakes in a desperately close finish, in the process returning some very famous silks to the Royal Ascot winner’s enclosure.

Brian Meehan’s sire had failed to get his head in the lead in his first two appearances despite promising displays at Newbury and Chester, but the Holy Roman Emperor colt – in colors so long associated with the late Robert Sangster – had enough in the tank to score as an 80-1 winner by a nose.

Under the tutelage of teenager Billy Loughnane, Rashabar led a pack of eight down the far rail, bursting forward in the final furlong and extending his lead to a length as he appeared to have a clear route to the finish line.

Electrolyte (Hollie Doyle) and Columnist (Oisin Orr) finished strongly though and quickly reduced Rashabar’s lead, but the winning post came just in time as Loughnane, 18, celebrated his first career winner at the meeting royal by the smallest margin.

Meehan said: “I dare say it’s not a big surprise. He felt very good from Chester, everything went very well with him over time. Sean Levey said when a horse runs around Chester it’s like having two runs, they learn so much, especially a two-year-old who has only run once before.

“We felt really good the last few weeks, we always watched here. I’ve had a thought in the back of my mind all along that he’ll never be a five-furlong horse, but we want to get two races for our two-year-olds before Ascot. I didn’t think he would win over five but he ran very well, better than I thought, and at Chester he was badly drawn and if he hadn’t missed the break he would have won. The form worked very well.

“We are very fortunate to be able to use Billy when we can. He’s a great kid with a great way about him, he’s great with people and the world is his oyster.”

Asked how special it was to win the race with a horse wearing those colors, Meehan said: “It is. You can try to keep a lid on things now, but we’ll catch our breath in an hour and enjoy it.

“At the moment it’s just about showing what we can do, the home team, early mornings, late nights, everything done, talking, thinking and solving. It’s just very special.

Looking at future plans, Meehan said, “We’ll see. I’ve always liked the idea of ​​the Prix Morny, the July Stakes would be too soon, Richmond is attractive. Obviously we have to think about the Group 1 races… maybe a Breeders’ Cup by the end of the year.”

Loughnane said: “It’s an amazing feeling, to do it so young is huge. I was second in one of the races last year, I was beaten by a couple of lengths, it was tough because I’m so young and it was my first Ascot, but looking back on it, it was a great achievement really and be riding at Ascot at 17.

“What a feeling today, I’ll try to enjoy every moment.

“I’ve worn these silks a few times, I’ve ridden quite a bit for Brian and Manton, they’re colors with a deep history and to be able to wear them is a great achievement.”

Rashabar runs for Manton Thoroughbreds and Sangster’s son Sam was emotional as he said: “I’m almost in tears behind the sunglasses, it was amazing. Brian believed in the horse from day one and we really felt we had a great chance.

“There was a reason we started the union 10 years ago, to keep the colors. We’ve got a lot of runners, it’s been fantastic the last couple of years. We had Isaac Shelby last year and this guy this year. I’m a little lost for words and emotional, especially when you talk about colors and my old man.”

Archie Watson said of his runner-up finish: “I was beaten by a neck on the track in the Army Ethos race last year and had a nose in the track race this year.

“I think it’s fantastic to be sent these horses from Wathnan, he ran a huge race and will be a two-year-old. I am gutted but delighted – the main thing is that the horse ran well.

“I think James (Doyle) had a choice between the three (Wathnan horses) and that had a bearing on his chances, but I think now we’ve had a third, a winner and two seconds in this race in the last three years . .”

Columnist Richard Fahey was the third horse and Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown added: “I’m sorry for Archie but they both ran fantastic races and we’re delighted.

“There is a good team here in Qatar and none of us are under any illusions about how difficult it is to win at Ascot and that race will prove that.

“Well done to Brian Meehan and his team, it was a great race and ours performed very creditably. It’s mixed emotions, but we have two very nice horses to look forward to.

“This project isn’t just about Ascot, it’s about the future and it shows we have two nice horses to go to war with for the rest of the season.”