Lumiere the horse to shine brightest at York’s Ebor Festival
Published:
The Juddmonte International Stakes is certainly the most eagerly-awaiting race of the 2015 Ebor Festival at York, pitting in opposition two of the year’s dominant three-year-olds.
In one corner is Golden Horn, winner of both the Epsom Derby and Coral-Eclipse, while Gleneagles is considered the main rival having triumphed in three Group 1 outings this season, including the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas.
While this contest focuses on two of the superstars of the current Flat season, the Lowther Stakes certainly has one eye on the next campaign.
Currently heading the market for the 6f sprint for fillies is Lumiere, the 10/1 ante-post favourite for the 2016 1,000 Guineas.
Lumiere is certainly a hype horse having dismantled her seven rivals on her sole start to date – a 6f maiden at Newmarket in early July. The winning distance was six lengths, but the daughter of multiple Group 1 winner Shamardal was barely extended.
Comparisons have invariably already been made with Mark Johnston’s previous stable star Attraction, who won the first eight races of her career, which included both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas. Attraction eventually won five times at Group 1 level and was runner-up on another two occasions.
One way that Lumiere could justify her hype is to better the performance of Tiggy Wiggy in the Lowther Stakes 12 months ago, who broke York’s 6f track record in securing victory.
It is also some comments from work rider Russ Kennemore that are reported in the Kingsley Klarion magazine which signal just how good Lumiere may grow to be.
He said: “When I rode her out of the stalls and up the grass gallop her time was amazing, and that was on the bridle and without asking any questions.
“I reported to Mark after the gallop with a big smile on my face, and told him it was the fastest I’d ever been up the gallop and that I’d been scared because I couldn’t pull her up at the end!”
Lumiere is 5/4 to win the Lowther Stakes and it is a race that has been won by six of the last 13 favourites.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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