Canonized the saint in Rockingham Stakes

Canonized showed that a recent step up in trip to six furlongs was the miracle wonder she needed as she took the Listed Coral “Beaten-By-A-Length Free Bet” Rockingham Stakes under Tom Marquand for trainer William Haggas and owners Cheveley Park Stud.

Canonized and Tom Marquand take the Rockingham Stakes

PHOTO: Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images

Set off a 7/2 chance after a short head defeat last time out in the Group 3 Firth Of Clyde Fillies’ Stakes at Ayr on her first try at the trip, she was sent on close home by her jockey to score by just under a length from Witch Hunter, and maintaining the sparkling form her trainer and the yard is in at this moment.

Gisburn and Cashew initially took the field along at the off, with Sandbeck preferring to race alone on the far side. Previous York winner Ever Given was travelling nicely under Richard Kingscote, travelling powerfully as the field approached the two furlong point.

Unfortunately he found little in the somewhat tacky conditions, officially described as Good To Soft, Soft In Places, when asked for his effort. The eye drawn to the pair of Canonized and Witch Hunter, who had broke from the pack on the outside and gone on by a couple of lengths. Canonized looked to wander around in front, perhaps looking for company, but once straightened out she soon put her head down and went to finish the job in hand, scoring by 3 quarters of a length to Witch Hunter, with Breeze Easy a further length and three quarters behind. Ever Given came home in fourth, with Cashew bringing home the remaining horses.

Canonized and Tom Marquand take the Rockingham Stakes

PHOTO: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

It was a relief for connections, who had been agonizingly close to Group success with her at Ayr a few weeks previously, only being touched off by a short head to Nazanin, who has been entered in the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh next year. She had also gone close in several other notable races along the way as the season progressed, such as the Group 3 Prix D’Arenberg at Longchamp in September and the Harry Roseberry Stakes at Ayr two starts earlier.

Speaking post race, jockey Tom Marquand, who is York’s leading jockey for 2021, said she was “ a consistent filly” and one who “deserves to have a good race next to her name”.

“She had to be very tough there”, he added, reflecting on her grit and determination to hold off her opposition.

“It’s very well deserved, and she has done well to win because it’s quite testing ground”.