Brad Cox-trained son of Tapit captures his third Grade 1 victory
Following Adayar’s (Frankel) victory in the Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f) at Epsom, Essential Quality (3 c Tapit - Delightful Quality by Elusive Quality) provided Sheikh Mohammed a second classic victory on Saturday when he won the Belmont Stakes (Gr 1, 12f) at Belmont.
Fourth in the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 9f) last start, Essential Quality was settled in midfield in the early stages. Moved up with 500 metres left to travel, he took the lead and stayed on well in the closing stages to score by a length and a quarter. Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) was second, with another 11 lengths back to Rombauer (Twirling Candy) in third.
"It will be hard to top this day," said Jimmy Bell, president and racing manager of Godolphin USA.
"This will be rated at the top for quite a while. It is a huge day, and it all goes back to Sheikh Mohammed's international sportsmanship. What we have done as a racing and breeding operation, is a tribute to him being such a tremendous sportsman and the great enthusiasm he has for the sport."
Bred by Godolphin, Essential Quality is the only winner out of Listed placed Elusive Quality (Gone West) mare Delightful Quality who is herself a half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner Folklore (Tiznow). This is also the family of multiple Grade 1 winner Contrail (Deep Impact).
The son of Tapit (Pulpit) has now won six of his seven career starts with his only defeat coming in the Kentucky Derby, having won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Gr 1, 8.5f) and Breeders’ Futurity (Gr 1, 8.5f).
Earlier on the card, Charlie Appleby, trainer of Derby winner Adayar, enjoyed a quinella in the Just A Game Stakes (Gr 1, 8f) with Althiqua (4 f Dark Angel - Mistrusting by Shamardal) beating Summer Romance (Kingman) by three quarters of the length. The filly becomes the eighth Group / Grade 1 winner for Dark Angel (Acclamation) that include Darley Australia shuttler Harry Angel.
