Golden girl Goldi does it again

Freddie Head’s wonder mare Goldikova raced into the record books by securing her 11th Group One triumph in the Qatar Prix de la Foret at Longchamp.

The five-year-old travelled strongly throughout in the hands of Olivier Peslier and was never far away from the pace, staying tight to the rail all the way.

Regal Parade was sent into the lead inside the final two furlongs and Richard Hannon’s duo Dick Turpin and Paco Boy came to challenge down the outside.

But Peslier coaxed Goldikova to the front and she quickened up well to score a shade cosily, setting a new record for Group One wins by a horse trained in Europe.

Paco Boy narrowly edged out his stable companion for the runner-up spot.

Head said: ``She's great, she's fantastic, what can you say?

“I was scared about the ground and it was touch and go if she would run. Olivier rode a great race.

“She’s fantastic. We’ll go to the Breeders’ Cup now.”

Peslier added: “She’s wonderful, there are no words for that. She’s made it 11 Group Ones today, Paco Boy has been there all season and it’s been a nice fight. Today was very hard for her to win like that.

“Many thanks to the owner for keeping the filly in training. She was the best filly and the best horse.”

Paco Boy's jockey Richard Hughes said: ``The draw (stall 10) didn't help us but he ran a great race.

“As soon as I got within striking distance of the filly, she kept finding a bit more.”

Hannon’s son and assistant, Richard Hannon junior, added: “It was a bit unfortunate coming into the straight that we lost ground, because from stall one, she (Goldikova) had such a massive advantage. We were boxed in in stalls nine and 10.

“Dick Turpin ran a great race and there will be another day for him and with Paco, we’ll sleep on it and see about the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

“The trouble is, wherever we go, Goldikova keeps turning up.”