Spirit proves one in a Million
The Philippe Demercastel trained winner bounced out of the gates under Ioritz Mendizabal and was soon at the head of affairs.
Aidan O’Brien’s Mount Nelson came to challenge the leader in the back straight but could not sustain that effort under Johnny Murtagh.
Archipenko, winner of the Summer Mile at Ascot last month, travelled strongly throughout in behind those two rivals but failed to get the gaps at a crucial stage and flashed home to take second.
De Kock was furious with Murtagh’s ride on Mount Nelson and said: “There was no need for Johnny to keep us in like that. That is the most ungentlemanly piece of riding I have seen in a long time.
“I am very surprised at Johnny, it was as if he was looking at the horse from the start.”
Archipenko’s jockey Kevin Shea added: “I had so much horse I should have never lost.
“Johnny had me trapped and when it was time to go, I begged him to let me go and he wouldn’t let me through.”
In contrast, Demercastel was delighted with his charge and admits he could be tempted to return to America for the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Santa Anita.
“I was always confident as everything in the preparation had gone really well and he was jumping out of his skin,” said the trainer.
“Ioritz gave him a super ride and the fact that he had to go round two bends helped him to breathe more easily in the race.”
When asked about the Breeders’ Cup meeting, for which he will now have an automatic entry, Dermercastel added: “Why not? We will give him time off now as this was a tough race and he has never travelled before.”
The Dermot Weld-trained Winchester ran out a hugely impressive winner of the Secretariat Stakes under Rene Douglas.
Hot favourite Tizdejavu led the field in the early stages of the mile and a quarter contest but Winchester swept past him soon after turning for home.
The three-year-old went further clear in the straight and scored readily from O’Brien’s Plan, giving Ireland a 1-2 in the Grade One contest.
Weld said: “When he won his maiden he beat the filly who won the Irish Oaks (Moonstone) and she is obviously top-class.
“I probably made a mistake by running him over a mile and a half in the Irish Derby as it was too far for him and that is why I brought him back to ten furlongs.
“I think he’s a very progressive horse and I will need to discuss it with the owners, but don’t be surprised if you see him come back for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.”
Murtagh, who was on board the runner-up, added: “I was never travelling. I was pushing along about five eighths out.
“He’s still a baby of a horse and I think the best is yet to come from him.”
Mauralakana completed a four-timer when coming home in front in the Beverly D Stakes in the hands of Kent Desormeaux.
