Keane and Babouche looking to turn on the style in Commonwealth Cup

Rhyl Journal

20-06-2025

The Group One-winning daughter of Kodiac has been a standout performer for the duo of late and is part of a strong hand for her owners, who also have Andrew Balding's Greenham hero Jonquil dropping back in distance following his fine second in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.
Barry Mahon, Juddmonte's European racing manager, said: 'Babouche is in good form and won the trial for this race in Ireland in good style. We would be hopeful of a good run, but we wouldn't be fussy which one won.
'I think it would have been tough for Colin to get off Babouche having ridden her in all her starts and his association with Ger, but both horses are in good form and ready to run well.'
On Jonquil, who will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon, Mahon added: 'Dropping back to six furlongs is a bit of an unknown, but he showed a lot of speed when winning the Greenham at Newbury and also showed plenty of speed in France and hit the front a furlong down. Oisin (Murphy) and Andrew both felt it was a good option for him.'
Babouche got the better of Aidan O'Brien's Whistlejacket in the Lacken Stakes last time, with the Ballydoyle runner fourth in the Norfolk Stakes at this meeting last year before winning the Prix Morny at two.
Meanwhile, another colt dropping back in distance after an honourable third in Classic action is Charlie Appleby's Middle Park and Dewhurst champion Shadow Of Light, who lost nothing when chasing home Ruling Court and Field Of Gold at Newmarket.
Speaking on the Godolphin website, Appleby said: 'Shadow Of Light is in great order, and I'm pleased with the draw (stall 19).
'He ran a great race in the 2000 Guineas and we are confident that the drop back to six furlongs is going to suit. I can't give any negatives and I'm hopeful he is the one to beat.'
BIG MOJO rediscovers his mojo on Royal Ascot Trials Day, winning the @eventmasters Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes. Congratulations to @TomMarquand and @MickApplebyUK pic.twitter.com/3NpaMcqzq1
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) April 30, 2025
Mick Appleby's Big Mojo won the Pavilion Stakes over course and distance in April and after no luck in running in the Sandy Lane at Haydock bids to give his connections another magical moment at the summer showpiece, as Hollie Doyle takes over the steering from husband Tom Marquand.
'He's in good order and hopefully he has a decent chance,' said Appleby.
'It's a shame Tom (Marquand) can't ride him, but Hollie isn't a bad substitute – hopefully Tom has given her the lowdown.
'He had no luck in running at Haydock last time and I think with a clear run he could have gone close. He just got stuck behind a wall of horses with nowhere to go.
'He won well at Ascot earlier in the year and is drawn in the middle which is nice as it should be good to go either way. Fingers crossed he can run really well.'
International interest is provided by Jose Francisco D'Angelo's prolific US winner Shisospicy, who will be the mount of the aforementioned Murphy, while Francis-Henri Graffard's Rayevka was also supplemented along with the American challenger after impressing at Chantilly earlier this month.
'It's a very tough race and a big field and a bit of a cavalry charge, but she's a three-year-old sprinting filly and if we'd waited we were going to have to run in a Group Three against older horses,' said Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs.
'She won a Listed race well last time and this was her last opportunity to run in a Group race against her own age group. It is a big ask and we'd be really chuffed if she was to run into a place.
'She's in good form, sprinting is her game and she is a top of the ground horse.'