Spacious set for Sun swansong

Spacious heads to the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket in the “last-chance saloon” before she is retired.

James Fanshawe’s mare has performed admirably throughout her career at the highest level, but has narrowly failed on more than one occasion to gain a Group One success.

Connections have taken the decision to retire the five-year-old after the Newmarket event on October 2, in which she has finished fourth and third for the last two years.

“It’s last-chance saloon I’m afraid for her – that will be her swansong,” said Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, who own Spacious.

“She’s better on top of the ground, although she handled softer in Ireland when she was second in the Matron.

“It’s a shame because we thought we might have that one in the bag but the ground just went against us slightly on the day (in the Matron Stakes).

“No excuses though, she was beaten by a good filly and we’ll have another go.

“You can’t be frustrated with what she’s done, but she’s been second in three Group Ones, including a Guineas.

“We took a chance to keep her in training and she’s certainly vindicated that decision and I just hope Ireland didn’t take too much out of her. Fillies can sometimes put up one really top-class performance and then go a bit flat afterwards.”

Richardson also had news of the William Haggas-trained Fury, an impressive winner in the famous red, white and blue colours at Newbury last week.

The daughter of Invincible Spirit is likely to run at Headquarters on the same afternoon as Spacious.

“He was quite impressive and he came out of the race well,” he added.

“He’s got an entry in one of the sales races (£500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2YO Trophy) and I suppose that is probably where he’ll go as we’ve paid the money to be in the series.

“Winning over seven furlongs like he did should hopefully give us plenty of options for next year.”