Arabian Queen inflicts shock first defeat on Golden Horn

Rank outsider Arabian Queen produced a stunning upset to inflict the first ever defeat on Epsom Derby champion Golden Horn in the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Wednesday.

The 50/1 chance -- given a superb ride by champion jockey race leader Brazilian Silvestre de Souza -- held off Frankie Dettori on Golden Horn to take a famous scalp.

Golden Horn, who had won the Group One Eclipse Stakes in his previous outing, his sixth win on the trot, had shortened to 4/9 on favourite after the late defection of Irish star Gleneagles as persistent overnight rain had altered the going to softish.

The winner's veteran owner/breeder Jeff Smith, who has had numerous successes down the years with the likes of sprinter Lochsong and stayer Persian Punch, was overcome with joy.

"I've had a third and a second in this race over the years so I was due a winner," said Smith.

"I've had a 100 good years in the game but this is one of the best days of them," he joked.

Smith, who bred the grand dam (grandmother) of the winner and saw her triumph in two Lanchashire Oaks despite only having one eye, was a little non-plussed that he couldn't find the winner's veteran trainer David Elsworth, the race winner back in 1990 with another filly In The Groove.
"I'd like to find the trainer to discuss her future plans so long as he hasn't expired," said Smith.

De Souza, who only sat on a horse for the first time aged 18 and took six months to get his first ride in Brazil, said his mount had an extraordinary depth of guts and resilience.

"She has a big heart on her and she just battled hard to not go down to Golden Horn," said the 34-year-old, the youngest of 10 children.

"She may have been long odds but we thought that was not right given she had finished third in a Group One (the Nassau Stakes behind star Irish filly and English 1000 Guineas champion Legatissimo) on her previous start.

"I've won a Dubai World Cup but this must rank as my greatest success."

For Dettori, who has enjoyed a renaissance this season after two difficult years, the defeat was galling even though there was a genuine enough excuse.

"I'm upset but we've got a good excuse in that the ground was too soft and took away his turn of foot (acceleration)," said the Italian.

"We only just got beat, but he struggled today that is for sure."
Source: AFP