Owen Burrows’ Waadah, guided by jockey Callum Rodriguez, secured a striking victory in the Betfred Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster, showcasing the benefits of a first‑time hood. The mare, who previously captured the Group Two Lillie Langtry at Goodwood, proved that the headgear helped keep her focused and manageable, allowing her to dominate the race.
The race unfolded under unusually hot summer conditions, which have not been kind to Waadah all season. She prefers softer, more yielding ground, and the scorching weather has limited her opportunities to run at her best. In fact, her third‑place finish at Goodwood earlier in the month was only her second start of the year, underscoring how the heat has curtailed her campaign. When the gates opened, Sir Mark Prescott’s Consent took an early lead, setting a bold pace.
Waadah, starting at 5‑2 odds, settled comfortably behind and began to make her move as the field turned into the home straight. By the final furlong she had drawn clear, finishing a length and three‑quarters ahead of the staying on Danielle, who held second place. Burrows, who now has a Group Two win to add to his Lillie Langtry success, is already looking ahead to a potential Group One double. He has his sights set on the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp during the Arc weekend in Paris, as well as the Champions Day meeting at Ascot, both of which could provide the perfect stage for Waadah to prove herself at the highest level.
"I'm pleased the hood was on because she jumped a little bit too well. She wears it at home because she's not easy and the team at home do a good job keeping a lid on her," Burrows explained.
"She got into a nice rhythm and two furlongs out I was happy." Rodriguez echoed his trainer’s sentiment, noting how the headgear kept Waadah calm and focused. "She likes that ground and stays very well. The race unfolded perfectly for her as there was a nice, even tempo, the track suited with the long straight and she stays well. She was strong through the line, it was a nice performance," he said.
The victory also highlighted the broader context of the Doncaster meeting, where Sky Sports Racing featured a packed programme, including the St Leger. Saffie Osborne made history by becoming the first woman to win a British Classic aboard Highwayman, a moment that added extra excitement to the festival.
Looking beyond the immediate win, Burrows hinted that Waadah may soon transition to a breeding role, given the unfavourable ground conditions she has endured this year. "She's had a quiet year because the ground hasn't been in her favour at all and I can imagine she'll be heading to the breeding shed after this season," he said, though he left the door open for further top‑level attempts if the right conditions materialise. In the same meeting, trainer Charlie Bishop timed his run on the heavily backed Night In Vegas perfectly, guiding the two‑year‑old to a £300,000 Weatherbys 2‑Year‑Old Stakes victory.
Night In Vegas, owned by the Kennet Valley Syndicates, had previously won the race with Calendar Girl and showed a smooth, patient ride before taking the lead in the final furlong and holding on by half a length. Eve Johnson Houghton, the trainer of Night In Vegas, expressed satisfaction with the result, calling it "jam" – a term she uses for a good win. She also outlined the colt’s future plans, which could include a six‑furlong sprint or a step up to seven furlongs, with a likely target of the Champions Day conditions race at Ascot.
Meanwhile, Saffie Osborne continued her impressive form on Town Moor, steering Speed Of Sound to a decisive win in the British Stallion Studs ‘Carrie Red’ EBF Fillies’ Nursery Handicap. The filly, trained by Richard Spencer, had previously finished third in a valuable sales race at York and entered the race as the 7‑4 favourite. Osborne praised the filly’s professionalism and potential, noting that she is a strong, robust horse who should stay seven furlongs comfortably.
Spencer added that while the soft ground at York was not ideal for Speed Of Sound, she still ran creditably and could be aimed at either handicap races or higher‑class stakes as the season progresses. Overall, the Park Hill Stakes provided a showcase for Waadah’s talent and the strategic use of equipment to unlock her potential. With the summer heat easing and softer ground expected later in the season, connections are hopeful that the mare can add further Group victories to her résumé or transition gracefully to a breeding career. The race also underscored the depth of talent present at Doncaster, from classic‑winning fillies to promising juveniles, making it a memorable weekend for British flat racing enthusiasts.