Soprano hits high note on Snowdrop return

Soprano just held off the fast-finishing Crimson Advocate in a thrilling finish to the Virgin Bet Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes at Kempton.

A Royal Ascot winner for George Boughey and owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing last season, she also struck gold at Deauville last term and finished 2024 placing in both the Matron Stakes and in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Keeneland before an unsuccessful Breeders’ Cup outing.

Returned to her preferred mile distance for her reappearance in this Listed event, she was sent off the 2-1 favourite and took her customary position towards the head of affairs in the hands of William Buick.

Having led the field into the home straight and beaten off the challenge of Ollie Sangster’s reappearing second-favourite Shuwari amongst others, victory was within sight for Soprano before the eye was drawn to John and Thady Gosden’s Crimson Advocate thundering home under Robert Havlin.

Another who won at Royal Ascot previously, the 2023 Queen Mary Stakes victor showed no issue with the enterprising move up to a mile and with Soprano’s advantage diminishing with every stride, the judge was needed to separate the pair and Soprano was awarded a nose verdict.

Boughey said: “That’s a good start to the season, it’s our first Stakes winner from our new yard which is important.

“She had to do it the hard way, she was pretty keen and fresh off a break and it was a long final furlong but William got her home and that is the main thing.

“She’s had a hard enough race but we’re working back from the Dahlia Stakes (at Newmarket, May 4) which is at a place she likes, she won her maiden there and ran well in the Cheveley Park, then we’ll work towards the Group One races later in the year.”