'You have no idea what she means' - Princess Zoe lands dramatic Sagaro Stakes

Wednesday: Sagaro Stakes, Ascot

Punchestown may have staged what promised to be an epic, but there was only one Gold Cup on Tony Mullins' mind after Princess Zoe warmed up for Royal Ascot with a gutsy win in the Sagaro Stakes.

Calling her the star of Mullins' County Kilkenny stable would be a disservice as she occupies a much more cherished place in his heart, and the enduring love affair between trainer and horse would be sealed for eternity should she triumph in the prestigious Flat marathon.

She is 14-1 (from 20) with Coral to better her five-length second in the race last year – odds part-owner Patrick Kehoe described as too big.

Interestingly, Paddy Power and Betfair are only 6-1 about the seven-year-old, who gave Mullins and jockey Joey Sheridan a day to remember in the Group 1 Prix du Cadran at Longchamp in 2020.

They are unlikely to forget the Longines-backed Sagaro in a hurry either as a lengthy stewards' inquiry followed her narrow victory over Quickthorn and Enemy.

Princess Zoe interfered with the third-placed Enemy inside the final furlong, but the stewards considered it hadn't improved her placing. However, Sheridan was given a four-day careless riding ban.

Mullins drew on just one cigarette before the result was confirmed and said: "I'll never have the like of her again. You have no idea what it means to get one like her when you have trained ordinary horses for 25-30 years. She's part of the family now.

"I believe we'll improve for the Gold Cup and we can build up to that, which has been the plan since her second last year."

Tony Mullins: 'I'll never have the like of her again'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The former jockey, who hails from the mighty Mullins racing family, eats, sleeps and breathes Princess Zoe.

"I couldn't speak after she got beat in the Cadran in October," he added. "I thought she was a certainty, but just told myself to get it out of my mind and build her up for the Gold Cup.

"Nothing comes close to her. I've never had a horse like her and never will again. I hope I do and we've often had good horses who have got injured or had other problems, but she's like having your mother beside you. She's dead reliable and turns up every time."

Longines Sagaro Stakes: full result and race replay

Mullins, blessed with a lifetime in the game, was associated with legendary mare Dawn Run during his riding career, so knows a special horse, and the 20-year-old Sheridan has developed similar feelings for the daughter of Jukebox Jury.

"She gave me one of the best days of my life winning a Group 1 when I was only 18," he said. "To be riding an Ascot winner in a Gold Cup trial is the stuff of dreams and I can't thank the owners for being so loyal and sticking by me.

"She loves it around here and the extra distance will suit her better in the Gold Cup."

Gold Cup favourite Trueshan is the one to beat, according to Sheridan and Mullins, who said: "Everyone says she's a heavy-ground mare. If she was beaten today on good to firm they'd all say I was wrong and made a big mistake, so there was massive pressure."

Mullins just might be be relishing it, however.

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