Jm Jungle surprises King George rivals

Jm Jungle caused a minor upset in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.

A field of 12 sprinters went to post for the five-furlong dash, with John and Sean Quinn’s high-class handicapper Jm Jungle a 14-1 shot for what was his first appearance at Group-race level.

Smartly away in the hands of Jason Hart, the five-year-old was towards the main group that raced on the far side of the track from the start and showed a willing attitude when the challengers attempted to reel him late on to prevail by a neck.

She’s Quality filled the runner-up spot for her fourth race in succession, with Commonwealth Cup victor Time For Sandals half a length further behind in third.

John Quinn was winning the race for a second time, having saddled Highfield Princess to strike gold two years ago, and his son Sean said: “We looked at the sprint division, decided it wasn’t as strong as usual and that we would throw our hat into the ring.

“We knew he operated on a downhill track like Epsom (won the Dash on Derby day) and that the ground might inconvenience others more than us.

“He probably loves fast ground but he’s versatile and is a horse that gives his all, while he’s a lot stronger this year.

“In the paddock he was walking round like an old pro. These opportunities don’t come around all that often, and when you have a day like this it’s massive.”

An appearance closer to home is next on Jm Jungle’s agenda, with a tilt at Group One glory in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on August 22 – a race also won by Highfield Princess in 2022 – looming large.

“Jason said early in the season that the race he would love to ride him in would be the Nunthorpe, simply because of how fast they go and how much he likes York,” Quinn added.

“That looks the natural next step because he is a Group Two winner now, so you want to be going up from there, and we put him in the Abbaye earlier in the week and that’s a similar race. You get a good draw up the rail and you see how much speed he has – he’d be in that van early doors.

“It was easier watching Highfield Princess because she never looked like getting beat. I was hoping, willing for the line to come in the last furlong today but it did and he toughed it out. The second came to him and I think he went again.”