Kingman's Friendly Soul steps up to Group level

George Strawbridge's Friendly Soul (Kingman) relished the drop to a mile to boss Ascot's Gr.3 Valiant Stakes on Saturday (27th July).

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 28th July 2024, by Tom Frary:

The homebred half-sister to the Group 1 winners With You (Dansili), Call The Wind (Frankel) and We Are (Dansili), who had previously impressed when taking Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly Stakes in May, was soon in front under Kieran Shoemark.

Extending her advantage in the final furlong, the 100-30 second favourite hit the line strong with three lengths to spare over the four-year-old Doom.  "We were thinking [Gr.1] Prix de Diane, but she was drawn wide at York and when she saw the stables on the right she cocked her jaw - she is a strong-willed lady and so that explains that." John Gosden said.

"We did a lot of checking her out as well and couldn't find anything wrong and gave her lots of time off, as she is still an immature filly and she has done it in good style. She is the type of filly who will get better as the year goes on and she will be a lovely filly next year." He added.

"That is a stiff mile and it rises a lot and I think a mile and a quarter is her proper trip - I wouldn't want to go a mile and a half."