Queen Elizabeth II Stakes: Bayside Boy springs surprise

Fresh from landing the Cazoo St Leger with Eldar Eldarov, the trainer snared another Group One prize, and a more unexpected one.

His colt showed a smart turn of foot though to reel-in the front-running Jadoomi inside the final furlong, who lost out on the runner-up spot in a photo with Modern Games.

Frankie Dettori's hopes of a Group One treble were dashed when Inspiral was slowly away and never threatened to get involved, leaving him very disappointed.

“I went into the stalls second last," he said. "I was barely in there 10 seconds. The gates opened and she didn't want to come out. It was one of those cigar moments.

“The whole field went and I found myself last on a filly who needs cover. They went slow, I tried to creep into the race, but the race was done at the start. I don't know why she didn't want to come out, it's the first time she has done it. I'm playing catch-up then.

“The draw came out and on the outside of the field there was a problem. With a small field and no pace, that was another problem. Inspiral has won two Group Ones and sometimes horses are not machines and sometimes they under perform. That has left a sour taste.”

Thady Gosden added: “She was slowly away, it turned into a sprint and when you are that far back in soft ground there’s not much you can do really. She’s OK afterwards so we’ll see where we go from there.

“There’s never been any sign of her doing it before, it’s frustrating but there’s not much we can do. Hopefully she’ll be back next season, but we’ll chat with the Thompson family.”

Lively outsider

In contrast, Varian was understandably delighted and he said: “We thought Bayside Boy was a lively outsider. I'm not going to say I thought we would win because he would need to step up massively.

“However, he did have very good juvenile form. He won the Champagne Stakes, was third in the Dewhurst and we had high hopes for him this season. He didn't enjoy the firm ground in the summer.

“I am delighted for the owners and the team at Ballylinch Stud. They have been very patient with him. He won nicely last time at Sandown, which was a nice confidence-boosting win for the horse.

“I am delighted with him today. He showed a great turn of foot. We'll enjoy this moment. I hope he is a horse who will still be with us next year. I'm not sure what's next, but we'll enjoy today."

Varian had earlier seen Eldar Eldarov disappoint in the Long Distance Cup, and added: “I said to my team, it’s a funny old game. Jaws were on the floor after Eldar Eldarov. We had high hopes for him today, and then this happened!”

Marquand said: “I thought I had a few really good rides today. I thought Bayside Boy was one who might run a nice race and finish in the places. However, to come away with a winner was great.

“It was very kind of the team to let me on board. It's hard to come across Group One spares and this was one of them.

“I have a feeling it's my first win for Roger Varian. I'm very fortunate and it was very kind of Richard Ryan to have me aboard.

“He is a horse who has a lot of ability. He has obviously been tricky to find the key to. However, he has shown the ability before. The soft ground has helped there and, with the blinkers on, it has all come together. He showed a pretty exceptional turn of foot."

Keen to go for the Breeders' Cup

The Breeders' Cup at Keeneland could be on the agenda for the two placed horses.

Charlie Appleby said of Modern Games: “Will [Buick] just said he as tough as teak but couldn't get his feet out of the ground unfortunately. He said that if the winner had come close to us, it would have been a different race again. It is the first time he has encountered ground that soft, but he's run a very creditable race and he'll go to the Breeders' Cup now. He's handled the conditions, it's just not there to suit him. As we know, in Keeneland he might get the same.”

Jadoomi’s co-trainer Ed Crisford said: “We are absolutely delighted with him. It can be a hard place to lead, but he popped out of the stalls and there wasn't any pace on, so James [Doyle] said he was happy in front. Really, the winner came out of nowhere, but we’ve ran a cracking race and couldn't be happier. At the one-pole, I thought the race was ours, but Bayside Boy was just finishing too quick.

“I think Keeneland will be the obvious place to go – coming round a bend might just play to his strengths and be the next step. He wants cut in the ground, that's the key. He has won two Group Two races and had to find five or six pounds to be competitive with the top two in the betting, and he has definitely improved again. He's a lightly-raced four-year-old and there's no reason why he shouldn't improve again.”

More from Sporting Life

• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.