Sky Safari created history for James Fanshawe at Lingfield Park on Saturday as she became the first filly or mare to win the G3 Midnite Winter Derby.
Anchored in rear of the five runners by Daniel Muscutt, the daughter of Zoustar produced a potent change of gear in the straight to wear down 4/6 favourite Chancellor and score by a neck.
Victory crowned a productive winter campaign at the Surrey course for the five-year-old, who landed November’s Listed BetMGM Fleur De Lys Stakes and finished a head second to Morrophore in last month’s BetMGM Winter Oaks.
Tom Fanshawe, assistant to his father, said: “Sky Safari has been a star for us. I think that is her sixth win from seven starts on the all-weather. Every time we step her up in grade, she finds a bit more improvement. She is a real joy to have in the yard.
“Chancellor has always had a big reputation, but we felt Sky Safari deserved her place in the field because of how reliable she is on artificial surfaces. Danny gave her a great ride and I don’t think you could say there was any fluke about it.
“Sky Safari will have a nice break now with a view to coming back for the second half of the turf season. She has proven herself at G3 level, so I think we can have a look at some more ambitious targets.”
Earlier on the card, Diligent Harry posted a noteworthy performance as he broke the five-furlong course record in the Listed Midnite Hever Sprint with a time of 56.37s.
Bidding to follow up his success in last month’s Listed Midnite Kachy Stakes, Diligent Harry was ridden cold this time before sweeping past the field to win by a length and a quarter.
Diligent Harry completed the Kachy Stakes-Hever Sprint double in 2024, after which he finished an excellent third in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint – and the same Dubai contest is on his radar this year.
Trainer Clive Cox said: “Diligent Harry has a big supporting cast of owners [The Dilinquents], although sadly Hazel Trafford is no longer with us. She would have been very proud of this horse, who has given us some great days over the years.
“Diligent Harry ran so well in Dubai after winning the same races two years ago. We will have to see whether he makes the cut for it this year, but he has given himself every chance of receiving an invite with his recent performances.
“With these older horses, I think it is important to tweak things, just to keep them mentally engaged more than anything. Even if he does not get invited to Dubai, we can look forward to a nice summer campaign as he is in a great place right now and full of confidence.”
Over in Ireland at Dundalk, Sir Les Patterson punched his Finals Day ticket with a smooth success in a six-furlong handicap. Stephen Thorne’s runner will be towards the head of the weights for the Sprint final, with the Irish handicapper raising his mark 8lb to 107.
Amo Racing’s Carolina Jetstream annexed a mile handicap on the same card, following up a seven-furlong success at the course last month. Now rated 96, the four-year-old’s trainer Robson de Aguiar has indicated that she will get entries for the Mile and Filly & Mare finals on Good Friday.
