Celestial Orbit secured back-to-back victories in EBF Star Stakes

Celestial Orbit secured back-to-back victories for Ollie Sangster in the European Bloodstock News EBF Star Stakes with a remarkable performance at Sandown.

Sangster celebrated the most significant win of his career last year when his sidelined star, Shuwari, triumphed over Fallen Angel and Soprano in this same race. This year, he repeated the achievement with this impressive daughter of No Nay Never.

Having shown marked improvement to get off the mark at Haydock earlier this month, the young filly took yet another leap forward in this Listed race.

Ridden with exceptional confidence by Jamie Spencer, Celestial Orbit, a 9-1 chance, tracked the favourite, Flaming Stone. As that rival began to tire, Celestial Orbit moved into contention smoothly before powering ahead to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Paddy Power quoted her at 33-1 for next year’s 1000 Guineas, but immediate plans involve a step-up to Group company, with the William Hill Prestige Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood at the end of August being a potential target.

Sangster expressed his delight, saying, “I’m delighted, and she’s a lovely, well-bred filly who is very straightforward to train. She’s taken a large step forward from Haydock and hopefully, she can keep progressing. Jamie gave her a lovely ride and rode her very confidently, tracking William Buick on the Juddmonte filly. He looked comfortable all the way up the straight, really. She did it really well and showed a nice turn of foot to put the race to bed and hopefully, there is more to come.”

Sangster believes she will likely remain at seven furlongs for now, citing her half-brother Nayef Road as a solid stayer, hinting that she might step up in distance later in the season.

In the race, David Loughnane’s long-shot Anshoda, who won at Lingfield at 33-1 on her debut, finished strong to claim second place, ahead of the 6-4 favourite, Flaming Stone.