'The sky's the limit' - Kalpana heading to the top after dominating September Stakes

Kalpana justified strong market support to land the Group 3 Unibet September Stakes in style and could well be bound for British Champions Day at Ascot next.

Owned and bred by Juddmonte, Kalpana was unraced at two but has made up for lost time this year, landing the September Stakes on her seventh start of 2024.

Third in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and successful in the Listed Glasgow Stakes, Kalpana has come a long way in a short space of time but connections are confident the best is yet to come.

Supported from 5-2 overnight, Kalpana was sent off the even-money favourite and put four and three-quarter lengths between herself and runner-up Lion's Pride as she accelerated in the home straight under PJ McDonald.

"It was very smooth," said a wide-eyed McDonald. "I was always in control and at every stage of the race I was doing things very easily.

"The penny is starting to drop with her and she's starting to learn. In her earlier races she was very consistent but just when races were developing she was probably still a little bit weak whereas now everything is coming together.

"I properly sat into her today, gave her a flick and made her go and stretch, and you could see the further she was going the better she was going."

The winner holds an entry in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on October 19 and, when asked if he could see her performing at the highest level, the winning rider said: "100 per cent. I still think she's a bit green and a bit raw. I think she's going to continue to improve with time and age. I'd be very excited about her and think the sky's the limit."

Kalpana has an entry in the Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions DayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Kalpana was halved in price to 4-1 with Paddy Power for the Ascot Group 1, a race in which Juddmonte also have Group 1 winner Bluestocking in contention for.

Juddmonte general manager Simon Mockridge added: "What happens next is a discussion for [winning trainer] Andrew Balding and [Juddmonte racing manager] Barry Mahon to have, and a longer discussion with the family. I'm sure they'll make the right decision but, the way she has finished off her race today, why not [aim for Ascot]?

"To do that on her seventh run of the year, against good seasoned campaigners, was very impressive. She's put on about seven kilos since her last run and physically she looked very well today. She's got size and I think whatever she achieves this year, she's going to do better next season and I know Andrew is very much looking forward to training her next year."

Since returning from four and a half months on the sidelines with a serious shoulder injury in July, McDonald has ridden three individual Group 3 winners for Balding and the rider paid tribute to the Kingsclere trainer.

"It's made a massive difference to hit the ground running," said McDonald. "I'm very grateful for the support and happy to repay Andrew when I can. Being freelance has its benefits at this time of year because the bigger yards have horses going to multiple tracks. As the racing quietens down, times will change, but you have to take the rough with the smooth."

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