Jane Chapple-Hyam plots global campaign for 'special filly' Saffron Beach

Wednesday: Duke of Cambridge Stakes, Royal Ascot

A globetrotting campaign encompassing an across-the-Channel journey to Deauville, a trip down the road to Newmarket and a Stateside mission to Keeneland awaits "special filly" Saffron Beach after her ultra-impressive victory in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained four-year-old defied a 5lb penalty for her top-level success in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket in October, and she could not have done it much easier.

It was all but over two furlongs out as William Buick's mount quickened smartly to establish an unassailable lead. As part-owner James Wigan put it, there was never a moment's worry.

A return to the Rowley Mile for a repeat Sun Chariot bid is one of three planned targets, with Saffron Beach, who finished fourth in the Dubai Turf on her return this year, first likely to head to the Prix Rothschild. A first crack at the Breeders' Cup meeting could complete her season.

Saffron Beach shines at Royal AscotCredit: Alex Livesey

Chapple-Hyam, whose previous Royal Ascot success came with Judgethemoment in the Ascot Stakes in 2009, said: "She's a special filly. We came into the race thinking it will be tough with the penalty, but she's proved just how good she is.

"It's hard going to Dubai off a winter and she was up against hardened colts and geldings and we didn't have a prep race, whereas here we went to Chelmsford and the July course and got the work in.

"The Prix Rothschild is where we're likely to go next, then the Sun Chariot and hopefully the Breeders' Cup at the end of the year."

It was an eventful and memorable afternoon for Wigan, who celebrated Saffron Beach's success having witnessed Bay Bridge, who he owns with Ballylinch Stud, finish a length second to State Of Rest in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes just 40 minutes earlier.

Wigan said: "It's the ups and downs of ownership. Bay Bridge ran a great race in defeat and Saffron Beach did it very well and seems to be improving all the time.

"We didn't have a moment's worry there and it was great to watch. I was a bit worried about the 5lb penalty beforehand – it seemed a little unfair – but thankfully she's a big, strong girl and coped with it well."

Buick had only previously ridden Saffron Beach in the Sun Chariot and maintained the perfect record, putting three and a half lengths between his mount and the keeping-on 40-1 shot Thunder Beauty in second. Primo Bacio was a head back in third.

"She won the Sun Chariot last year and, dare I say it, feels better this year. She's a credit to the team and it's not easy to carry a Group 1 penalty. It's fantastic for Jane and you've got to enjoy these moments," said Buick.

"She got a nice lead for the first half of the race and was in a nice rhythm. I kicked pretty early because she does stay the mile well and it was a smooth success. She's done that really well."

Day two at Royal Ascot:

Frankie Dettori suffers 'absolute shocker' as he struggles to remove blindfold

Under-fire Irad Ortiz handed five-day careless riding ban by stewards

'This is an absolute dream' - State Of Rest downs Bay Bridge for ecstatic Crosse

'This sport can humble you - but we'll be back' - non-runner heartache for Head

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