From Longchamp to Pontefract: Arc star Rossa Ryan 'on top of the world' and straight back in the winner's enclosure

Rossa Ryan struck on his first ride back in Britain since landing the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Bluestocking, steering Sir Dinadan to victory at Pontefract on Monday.

Trained, like Bluestocking, by Ralph Beckett, Sir Dinadan made all the running in the colours of Marc Chan to land the 1m2f juvenile novice stakes by eight lengths as the 5-6 favourite.

Furthering the Bluestocking connection, Sir Dinadan was led up at Pontefract by Eric Ngwane, a former jockey in South Africa who is the regular racing groom for Sunday’s Arc winner.

Ngwane had been unable to travel to Paris with Bluestocking, but a video posted on social media showed him celebrating wildly in a pub as his filly defeated Aventure and Los Angeles.

Speaking on Racing TV, Ryan said: “Yesterday’s still a bit surreal. I woke up a very happy man this morning and I was on top of the world.

“Honestly, three out and turning in she just lit up better than ever. She’s never done that on me and she was ready for yesterday, Ralph and the team had her absolutely spot on. It was a dream come true.

“You have to admire the way Ralph has campaigned her. It’s a bit like John Oxx with Sea The Stars [running] once a month. It was brilliant watching the media write her off all week and the more I got into the form the more I thought I had a chance, and she didn’t let me down.”

Ryan did not add to his victory on Sir Dinadan, leaving Billy Loughnane and James Doyle to shine on Pontefract's penultimate raceday of 2024.

Doyle bookended the card with wins for Sheikh Tamim's Wathnan Racing on Veydari and Fine Interview, the latter being a first winner at the course for Hamad Al Jehani. Loughnane maintained his pursuit of third-placed Tom Marquand in the jockeys' championship with a double on Urban Sprawl and Glory And Honour.

Read more:

'He's coming of age' - pure joy for Rossa Ryan and his proud parents as Arc victory crowns rapid rise 

Rossa Ryan conducted it beautifully - how the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was won and lost 

'She's changed my life' - brilliant Bluestocking propels Ryan, Beckett and Juddmonte to Arc history

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