I am absolutely delighted that Pershaada gets a very well deserved victory in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood yesterday.
She backed up her fourth in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot with a commanding win under Sean Levey, coming with a strong run entering the final furlong and won going away by two lengths. I knew Pershaada would run very well yesterday. She has been working very nicely and has actually won really well. We trained the stallion Persian Force, so it is good for him to get his first black-type winner on the board. I also trained the grandsire, Mehmas, so it's a real family affair and a real pleasure to have horses like this at the yard.
She is an extremely fast filly and there is a good chance we might have a look at the Nunthorpe Stakes at York as she certainly looks quick enough for that. She seemed to win with a lot of authority yesterday and with the weight allowance from the older horses in a sprint, she would have a great chance.
Sean said in an interview that “The form suggested Pershaada should be bang there. She was favourite and has done what we all thought she should do. She has been inclined to be a little generous early, showing you that speed. I have always thought that, if she learned to race behind the bit a little bit more, she would find a bit of a turn of foot in those closing stages. I think that is what we achieved today.
"By halfway, she kind of lit up a bit before I wanted her to. That is when I was on the heels in a congested spot. I did not really want her to be engaging at that moment; I was waiting for it to open before I asked her. But she came back to me quickly enough, then waited again, and it opened. She was then able to show that turn of foot.
"Adonius sets a high standard; he sets huge fractions up there, but the more competitive the racing gets, the better it suits our filly. I prefer her to find her rhythm at a high cruising speed while reserving something to finish with. She has learned to do that today, but she has not quite perfected it yet, and I think we will see more from her as she perfects that."
Pershaada's win was also voted as World Pool's moment of the day which is a very pleasant surprise. The team have been awarded with a cheque of £4000 which is greatly deserved after all of their hard work this season.
A huge congratulations go to her owners Middleham Park Racing, her groom, and the whole team at home.