Panis's Sands of Mali Wires Ascot's British Champions Sprint

   Off the board in three Group 1 outings since registering a half-length second in Royal Ascot's June 22 G1 Commonwealth Cup, The Cool Silk Partnership's Sands of Mali (Fr) (Panis) returned to the scene of that effort and caused a 28-1 shock in Saturday's G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint. The bay was sharpest into stride and secured immediate control of the straight six-furlong dash. Nudged along passing the quarter-mile marker, he would not relent and kept on strongly under a final-furlong drive to withstand the persistent threat of Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) by a length. Donjuan Triumphant (Ire) (Dream Ahead) emerged from the pack to finish best of the rest, 1 1/4 lengths back in third. “He just got nailed at the Royal Meeting and things went pear-shaped after that,” admitted trainer Richard Fahey. “He's always worked like a nice horse at home and today he's proven that he is. He's had a few goes at Group 1s and today it's come good so I'm delighted. I felt he ran okay at Haydock last time, but today was where we thought he should be. What they should be and what they actually do are quite different sometimes. It's great for the owners [Cool Silk Partnership], and for [agent] Matt Coleman, who buys all their horses.” Jockey Paul Hanagan added, “We've always thought a lot of him, today he showed everyone what we've always believed and I quite enjoyed that. I was never headed and couldn't believe how well I was going with two furlongs to go. I knew he would handle the ground and just loved the way he picked up again when Harry Angel came to challenge him. I can't put into words what it means to win for Richard [Fahey]. He's never left my side and has always been there for me so I owe him a lot.”
   Godolphin's Harry Angel yoyo'd in and out of the stalls during the loading process, but was away on terms to hound the eventual winner throughout. However, he was unable to reel in this term's G3 Prix Sigy and G2 Sandy Lane S. victor and went down bravely attempting to end his course hoodoo, which now reads zero-from-six. “He's run an absolute blinder and I'm very pleased with him as he's shown his true level today,” said trainer Clive Cox. “It's been a frustrating year because he's been a better horse at home all year. To bring him here and show everyone else what we've been seeing–that he's a proper, proper Group 1 horse–I'm very proud of the performance. It's good to sign the season off with him like this. He's a horse who has a change of gear as well, but fair play to Richard [Fahey]. It's his day today and it is well deserved. There's always a moment of worry with Harry because he knows what's coming the other side [of the gate] and he likes to get on with it. He's equipped himself in the best possible way and I will be looking forward to seeing his stock when he goes to stud.” Jockey Adam Kirby added, “He's a superstar and, of course, I'm proud of him. It's a shame to get beat, but nice to end things on a high. He's been a great horse and the ground here just blunted his gear-change so I feel a bit sorry for him. He probably gets a little claustrophobic in the stalls, but one thing I will say is well done to Clive Cox and all involved with the horse. They have always done a remarkable job with him. He owes us nothing, he's been a fantastic sprinter and a pleasure to deal with.”
   Sands of Mali, half-brother to the winning 2-year-old filly Flawless Jewel (Fr) (Kheleyf) and the yearling colt Kherizzi (Fr) (Kheleyf), is one of two winners and the leading performer produced by an unraced daughter of Listed Grand Criterium de Bordeaux and Listed Prix La Sorellina placegetter Kapi Creek (Fr) (Sicyos). Kapi Creek is herself the best representative of Listed Prix Belle de Nuit third Kirigane (Fr) (Vitiges {Fr}), who in turn is a half-sister to Mexico's G1 Clasico Malinche runner-up Ladakh (Fr), from a family which includes MG1SW dual Argentinian champion distaffer Miss Terrible (Arg) (Numerous).

Saturday, Ascot, Britain
QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT S.-G1, £632,500, Ascot, 10-20, 3yo/up, 6fT, 1:14.21, sf.
1–SANDS OF MALI (FR), 127, c, 3, by Panis
1st Dam: Kadiania (Fr), by Indian Rocket (GB)
2nd Dam: Kapi Creek (Fr), by Sicyos
3rd Dam: Kirigane (Fr), by Vitiges (Fr)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€20,000 Ylg '16 OSLATE; £75,000 2yo '17 TATABR). O-The Cool Silk Partnership; B-Simon Urizzi (FR); T-Richard Fahey; J-Paul Hanagan. £358,691. Lifetime Record: GSW-Fr, 12-5-1-0, $908,130. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Harry Angel (Ire), 128, c, 4, Dark Angel (Ire)–Beatrix Potter (Ire), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB). (£44,000 Ylg '15 DNPRM). O-Godolphin; B-CBS Bloodstock (IRE); T-Clive Cox. £135,988.
3–Donjuan Triumphant (Ire), 128, h, 5, Dream Ahead–Mathuna (Ire), by Tagula (Ire). (€58,000 Wlg '13 GOFNOV; €50,000 RNA Ylg '14 GOFORB; 30,000gns 2yo '15 TATBRE). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-Patrick Cosgrove & Dream Ahead Syndicate (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £68,057.
Margins: 1, 1 1/4, HF. Odds: 28.00, 4.00, 16.00.
Also Ran: Brando (GB), Sir Dancealot (Ire), Projection (GB), The Tin Man (GB), Tasleet (GB), Limato (Ire), Son of Rest (GB), Librisa Breeze (GB), Speak In Colours (GB), Dream of Dreams (Ire), Bacchus (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.