Former jockey Andreas Suborics is eagerly anticipating a new perspective at Ascot as his charge, Quantanamera, competes in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes on Saturday. The Lope De Vega mare, last seen winning the Grand Prix de Deauville in August, delivered an impressive victory on soft ground, defeating John and Thady Gosden’s Arrest by four lengths.
Now heading to British Champions Day, Quantanamera’s chances are bolstered by her preference for testing ground, with Suborics hoping the race stays on the traditional round course. “Her preparation has been perfect, and the ground suits her. She performed best on this surface, so I hope they stay on the outside track,” Suborics shared.
Unbeaten as a two-year-old, Quantanamera’s three-year-old campaign was hampered by injury, but as a four-year-old, she returned to top form. “She was a champion two-year-old in Germany but injured her back leg last March. Her focus last season was more on recovery than racing,” Suborics explained. After solid performances this year, including a standout win at Deauville, she’s shown her true potential.
Suborics, an Austrian-born and German-based trainer, had a distinguished career as a jockey, riding top-class horses like Tiger Hill, Shirocco, and Overdose. He is no stranger to Ascot, having ridden in the Shergar Cup and prestigious races like the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. “I know the track well and am excited to be part of this big day as a trainer,” he said, looking forward to Saturday’s challenge.