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Inspiral Makes Career Bow in Sun Chariot

The Frankel mare will attempt to retain her title in the group 1.

Inspiral wins the 2023 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita Pak

Inspiral wins the 2023 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita Pak

Mathea Kelley

Inspiral, who often blossoms in autumn, is being aimed at back-to-back wins in the Oct. 5 Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) on her final outing before she retires to the local paddocks of her owners Cheveley Park Stud.

The last multiple winner of the race was the French filly Sahpresa (2009-11) and Inspiral, trained by John and Thady Gosden, looks primed for a winning lap of honor after a gallop on the Rowley Mile last week.

Robert Havlin gets the call to replace Ryan Moore on the six-time group 1 winner at a venue where the jockey registered his first group 1 win on Commissioning two years ago. Havlin doubled that when steering Audience to glory in the Cheveley Park colors in the Lockinge Stakes (G1) at Newbury in May.

Inspiral has not been at her best this term but she has proved to be an autumn filly in the past and has done plenty of stalls work at home since her slow start in the Prix Jacques Le Marois (G1) at Deauville last time, where she finished third to Charyn.

Chris Richardson, racing manager to the owners said: "This is the time of year when Inspiral comes into herself and she likes Newmarket. Obviously, she has her quirks as regards to leaving the stalls but I understand the team have been working hard on this issue since her last run at Deauville.

"Ryan Moore was taken with her when he rode her in a racecourse gallop last week and felt she was in a good place and hopefully she can put her best foot forward this time. Rab Havlin is available to ride her and he knows her well from riding plenty of work on her over the last few years."

On the future he said: "I think this will be her swansong. I don't think going to the Breeders' Cup is a realistic option this year as the track will be a bit too sharp for her at Del Mar. We did it with Queen's Trust and it didn't work out the following year. I think we'll enjoy her in the paddocks after this. She has done us proud, winning six group 1 races. Let's hope she can make it a lucky seven."

Hollie Doyle misses out on one group 1 assignment in France on Trueshan to make another bid for top-level success on Nashwa, who makes her first outing since March and gives John and Thady Gosden a strong hand in the six-runner field.

The daughter of Frankel  is likely to improve for this run back after appearing in a racecourse gallop at the track last week but may well outrun her odds.

Doyle said: "It's been a blow having Nashwa out of action for most of the season and her return has been a long time coming, but these things happen. I've only sat on her once since Dubai, and that was last week, when she felt great.

"In the past she's taken a few runs to come to herself, but I was pleased with her, and whatever happens here we hopefully have British Champions Day at Ascot to look forward to."

On her split loyalties she said: "It's just such a shame my two superstars are running at different tracks on the same day, but I can't be in two places at once. When I missed Trueshan in the Cadran three years ago it was through suspension and James (Doyle) won on him. That was a heartbreaking day, but I can't complain too much this time."