'She's very, very good' - Saffron Beach shrugs off delay in Rothschild romp

Tuesday: Prix Rothschild, Deauville

Saffron Beach overcame a six-hour delay at Folkestone to announce herself as one of the leading fillies in Europe by winning the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville.

It took the four-year-old and trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam 12 hours to make the journey from Newmarket to northern France, but it had no ill effect as last season's Sun Chariot heroine travelled powerfully at the head of affairs to defeat a dual Group 1 winner in Tenebrism under a well-judged ride from William Buick.

"She's very brave, very tenacious and probably been better here than she was at Royal Ascot," Chapple-Hyam said.

"They came to challenge her and she found another gear and went away so that's nice to see. We're very pleased because we were giving 7lb to younger rivals.

"She's maturing now. As a younger horse she always had a travelling companion in the horsebox with her and now since Dubai she's grown up. She can travel on her own now which makes the job easier for me.

"I did travel down with her in the horsebox on Sunday, but I think I'll jump on William's plane to get home!"

Expanding on travel issues that might have deterred many, Chapple-Hyam said: "It took 12 hours door to door from Newmarket. We left Newmarket and it was six hours waiting to get on the Eurotunnel – just six hours hanging around really.

"She's learning all the time and if she's going to go to Ireland or America, she has to learn about travelling. Post Covid and Brexit, they're the rules and it's good that she has adjusted and matured."

Saffron Beach was cut to 8-1 (from 10) by Paddy Power for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf on November 5 and Keeneland is her ultimate aim. Coral go the same price having been 11-1 on Tuesday morning.

"The plan was, if we could get her to the Breeders' Cup and work backwards," said Chapple-Hyam. "She's in the Matron at Leopardstown and the Sun Chariot at Newmarket.

Connections pose for a photo with Prix Rothschild winner Saffron BeachCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

"It's been a long season for her starting in Dubai in March but she does get those breaks in between and she does get turned out and enjoy some grass. But I expect she’ll go to stud at the end of the year; she's earned it."

Keeneland's turf track configuration means that the sex-restricted race will be over an extended nine furlongs, although Saffron Beach will also be given the option of the Breeders' Cup Mile in open company.

"I think we'll nominate her in both and see what the competition is," said Chapple Hyam. "Knowing the owners, they'll probably want to stick to the Filly & Mare, but you can nominate in both and have a look.

"I'm just pleased she is travelling and she's more mature in her mind. She'd shown that over the winter and her demeanour is different now.

"When she went to Dubai we couldn't be with her. You hand the horse over to the representative of the airline, you're not allowed any of your own staff."

Buick has been on board for both of Saffron Beach's Group 1 victories, and he paid tribute to her no-nonsense attitude.

William Buick and Jane Chapple-Hyam savour the victory of Saffron BeachCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

"She's super easy and is very, very good. She loves her work and she worked about ten days ago and was in really good form.

"She came out of Ascot and had a nice break, and she really put it to bed the last 100 yards. She's a very, very talented horse."

Tenebrism and Malavath threw down a serious challenge at the furlong marker with the Prix Jean Prat winner pushing Saffron Beach the hardest, although the winner had pulled out two and a half lengths at the line.

Tenebrism's trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "She ran very well and we're delighted with her return to the mile. She is obviously very good at seven furlongs, but I still think she's capable of performing at a mile.

"She could come back to France or else there is the Matron Stakes."

Full result

Read this next . . .

'As good as you'll get' – the apprentice tipped for stardom after first winner

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.