Tamfana became the first syndicate-owned Group One winner in Britain this season by claiming the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket, a victory that highlights the ambition and vision of Quantum Leap Racing.
The David Menuisier-trained filly had consistently performed at the top level throughout the season, securing strong finishes in the 1000 Guineas, Prix de Diane, and Grand Prix de Paris before winning the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown. Dropping back to a mile for the Atalanta proved successful, and she maintained that distance for her next outing in the Sun Chariot.
In a competitive field of six, Tamfana faced the likes of 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka, and the John and Thady Gosden-trained duo Inspiral and Nashwa, who together had won nine Group One races. With regular jockey Oisin Murphy unavailable due to commitments with See The Fire, Irish champion Colin Keane took the ride, steering Tamfana to a brilliant two-length victory as the 2-1 favourite.
This was Menuisier's first Group One victory of the season, and it marked a significant milestone for Quantum Leap Racing, who had purchased Tamfana for just €20,000.
"It was an absolutely tremendous day, and she truly deserved it after the season she's had," said Eamonn O’Connor, managing director of Quantum Leap Racing. "She's been knocking on the door, and I'm delighted for the trainer who deserved his first Group One win this year."
O’Connor credited the success to their partnership with bloodstock agent Jeremy Brummitt, who bought Tamfana as a yearling. Together, they take a creative approach to sourcing high-quality horses on a limited budget.
"Hopefully this doesn’t sound too indulgent, but I’m delighted for the syndicate too. When we set up seven years ago, Jeremy and I aimed to procure Group One horses—that was our bold goal," O’Connor continued. "We only buy five horses a year, and we weren’t content with just having fun days out. We wanted to win at the highest level, and now we've done it."
O'Connor believes Tamfana's victory can inspire others to believe that smaller syndicates can compete with the sport's bigger players. "It's hard work but rewarding, especially when we have Saturdays like this. It shows that with the right approach, even a small syndicate can take on the big guns."
Looking ahead, Tamfana holds an entry for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in two weeks, though her connections will assess her condition before making any decisions. Regardless of her next steps, Tamfana is set to remain in training next season.
"She’s in the QEII, but we’ll see how she is after a few days," O’Connor said. "She takes her racing well, and if she’s ready, it could be the next obvious step. We’ll likely keep her at a mile, though we might explore longer distances next year. We're not greedy—we look after our horses, and we’re already planning for her future."