Stakes win for Kingman's Devoted Queen

Kingman three-year-old Devoted Queen extended her unbeaten run to three from three with her first blacktype victory in the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes at York today (17th May 2024).

Taken from Sportinglife.com, 17th May 2024:

Devoted Queen, the 3/1 favourit, powered home to maintain her unbeaten record in the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes. Spiritual took them along in the mile contest and Devoted Queen came under the pump from William Buick some way out but she picked up strongly in the middle of the course to win going away. It was tight for the minors with Spiritual doing enough to play the bridesmaid. Bolsena (also by Kingman) was third and Bright Thunder fourth.

Devoted Queen was having just the third start of her career having won a soft ground Newmarket maiden in October before doubling her tally at Kempton in April. The Charlie Appleby-trained winner holds an entry in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and Buick wasn't in a rush to rule a tilt at that prize out, commenting: "I'm sure that's something the team will discuss and she's only a baby still, that was only her third race. It's the first time she's probably had a proper race and if she improves again for this then I'm sure it will be under consideration."

He added: "Delighted with this filly. We put a hood on her to enable her relax a little bit, there's plenty going on here at York. She relaxed lovely in the race, she came into the race nicely; ideally I'd have waited a little bit longer but she got the trip well and she's a filly who's only going to keep on progressing. She's pretty exciting."

Alex Merriam, representing owners Godolphin, added: "I think she's improving all the time and very happy with her. Will said it's (the Coronation Stakes) definitely something you want to consider. I think he said she's a horse who might want a bit of juice in the ground but it will definitely have to come under consideration."