LIBRISA BREEZE created a little piece of history today as in winning the Champions Sprint at Ascot, he became our first Group One success and brought up another record season for Harper Lodge Farm.
Billed as one of the races on Champions Day with another mouth-watering clash between Harry Angel and Caravaggio, not to mention the likes of last year’s winner, The Tin Man, dual Group One winner, Quiet Reflection and Tasleet, maybe one or two had disregarded the chances of Librisa.
Robert Winston however, has always had the utmost faith in this 5yo son of Mount Nelson and felt that with his turn of foot, he could win a big one. Today’s soft conditions over the 6f trip definitely helped and Ascot has always been a happy hunting ground with two big handicap wins last year over seven furlongs and a second in the Royal Hunt Cup.
Things have not always fallen right in 2017 for this very talented grey but today they did. A strong gallop helped him settle and he was absolutely swinging two out. Robert always had him in a good position and half a furlong out, when he hit the front, it was all over and he won by one and a quarter lengths from Tasleet, who had previously been runner-up in a Group One, twice.
Congratulations to owner, Tony Bloom who has enjoyed a wonderful eight days, starting with a Cesarewitch winner at Newmarket and ending with a winner on Ascot’s Champions Day.
There is no doubt today is the most successful day in Harper Lodge Farm’s history. A first Glorious Goodwood success with Lancelot Du Lac with Frankie on board was special but to have a Group One winner, at Ascot, on Champions Day with Robert Winston in the saddle is very special indeed!