Fairy Glen produced a stunning turn of events in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu, surging from the back of the field to clinch a Group One triumph over the odds‑on favourite Sunly, delivering a memorable victory for the Newmarket training partnership of Simon and Ed Criswell. The race unfolded over a demanding distance of one mile and six furlongs, with Mickael Barzalona aboard Fairy Glen settling the filly at the rear of a tightly packed field that also featured Consent, Cameo, Sugar Island and the future St Leger star Amelia Earhart.
As the early fractions unfolded, the pace was honest but not overly taxing, allowing the five‑year‑old Fairy Glen to conserve energy for a late‑stage charge. Sunly, who had been backed into clear favourite status at 5‑6 odds, took command of the race with about a furlong left to run, appearing poised to extend her dominance.
However, Barzalona timed his move perfectly, guiding Fairy Glen around the outside and into the straight where she unleashed a powerful finishing sprint. The filly edged past Sunly by a neck, securing a hard‑won victory that shocked the betting public and underscored her tenacity. Amelia Earhart, who had previously finished third in the St Leger, fought valiantly to hold on to third place, finishing roughly three‑quarters of a length behind the winner.
The remaining runners rounded out the placings, but the headline was undoubtedly Fairy Glen’s dramatic reversal of fortunes. This win carries added significance for Fairy Glen, who is slated for retirement at the close of the season.
Earlier in the spring, she captured the Group Two Balanchine and the prestigious Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan, and she had also placed fifth in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier behind Caballo De Mar in May. Her preparation for the Qatar event included a runner‑up performance in a Listed race at Yarmouth last month, a run that trainer Ed Criswell described as a key stepping stone.
"Exactly what Mickael said would happen did happen – he mentioned they'd need a long run to get her ready," Criswell explained. "He knows her well from our time in Dubai and wanted to give her ample distance to settle.
They did get a long run, and he was tracking Sunly closely while she showed her fighting spirit. She may not win by large margins, but she always gets the job done." Criswell also reflected on Fairy Glen’s Yarmouth run, noting that it was her first appearance after a summer break and that the connections deliberately avoided a demanding test, aiming instead for a smooth preparation for the Qatar target. "She probably should have won at Yarmouth a couple of weeks ago.
It was her first run after a break, and we didn’t want to push her too hard because we had a specific goal in mind," he said. "She’s an excellent filly, already a Group One winner, and she will retire at the end of this year. Whether she runs again depends on her owner’s plans – there is a possible appearance at Ascot on Champions Day, and perhaps another race back here.
We’ll discuss it with the owner and see if we can fit in one more start before she heads to stud." In other news from the Qatar meeting, Wimbledon Hawkeye continued his impressive debut campaign for owner George Scott by winning the Qatar Prix Dollar at Longchamp. The son of the 2021 champion Kameko was acquired privately by the Victorious Forever syndicate during the off‑season and has proven to be a shrewd investment.
After a Group Three victory at Deauville and a narrow nose defeat to Hotazhell in last month’s Irish Champion Stakes, the colt entered the Group Two contest with confidence. Ridden once again by Christophe Soumillon, Wimbledon Hawkeye displayed class and composure, pulling away to win by half a length over Zaydann. The performance reinforced his reputation as a high‑quality racehorse, and Soumillon’s partnership with the colt was praised by Scott. "He’s a class horse – he’s proven that time and time again this year," Scott remarked.
"He arrived a little fresh, and I was initially concerned about his readiness, but he travelled beautifully and performed like a top‑class animal." Looking ahead, Wimbledon Hawkeye’s odds for the Qatar Racing Champion Stakes have been dramatically shortened, yet a run on Ascot’s Champions Day is not currently on the agenda. Scott explained that the horse’s future lies elsewhere, specifically in Bahrain, where Sheikh Nasser has expressed a strong interest. "He’ll be perfect for Bahrain. Sheikh Nasser has made it clear there won’t be a Champion Stakes for him, and we want to respect the owner’s wishes," Scott said.
"He was bought for Bahrain, so this victory is essentially a bonus. We’ll give him a week’s rest once we’re back home, and then target the Bahrain International – it’ll be an ideal race for him." When asked about his relationship with jockey Christophe Soumillon, Scott admitted a personal admiration. "It’s great to be associated with Christophe. I don’t know him very well, but I’ve had a bit of a crush on him since he started riding!
He has the charisma of Oisin Murphy and Frankie Dettori – they’re truly one‑off personalities," Scott laughed. Overall, the Qatar meeting delivered two standout performances: Fairy Glen’s thrilling upset over Sunly, cementing her legacy before retirement, and Wimbledon Hawkeye’s continued ascent under George Scott’s ownership.
Both horses have added valuable chapters to their racing stories, and fans can look forward to further developments as the season progresses, whether at Ascot, Bahrain, or beyond.