Coronation Cup crown for Emily Upjohn

By Duane Fonseca

Emily Upjohn made a statement for the fillies after becoming the first female to win the Group 1 Coronation Cup since 1991.Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the 4yo daughter of Sea The Stars, was guided by Frankie Dettori, riding perhaps for the last time in the race, having announced he will retire at the end of the year. Dettori and his partner were determined to make amends for their defeat by a shorthead in last year’s Oaks over course and distance and would leave nothing to chance.

Breaking almost evenly in the 2400m run, Dettori kept Emily Upjohn at the back of the field and raced comfortably to a pace set by Hurricane Lane, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin and guided by William Buick. Aidan O’Brien’s Point Lonsdale, the ride of Ryan Moore, ran a neck back in second to the outside. They were allowed to turn with the distances virtually unchanged, but after Westover, Ralph Beckett’s charge turned on the heat in the hands of Rob Hornby, the front running pair started to fade and could do little.

Emily Upjohn, nudged 600m out, took over the running in a matter of strides with sensational acceleration. Dettori flew aboard her to go well clear and eased her off at the end to finish with a length and three fourths to spare from Westover, with Point Lonsdale a further seven and a half behind in third.

It was a sixth victory for Dettori in the race and the Italian’s first since 2018 when Cracksman coincidently brought John Gosden his first triumph in the event. Victory  also made Emily Upjohn the first filly to win the Coronation Cup since 1991, when it was won by In The Groove.