Royal Ascot latest: Gold Digger seeking Albany spoils

The daughter of Starman, owned by Phil Cunningham of Rebel Racing having been bought for 260,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale, was held up and produced a smart turn of foot under Jamie Spencer to land a competitive eight-runner maiden in good style. The front pair finished over four lengths clear of the field, suggesting considerable potential.

The Albany Stakes could deliver Spencer’s second Royal Ascot success, following his Group 2 Coventry Stakes victory with Rajasinghe in 2017.

Updating Tattersalls on the filly's progress, Spencer said: "She’s got a great temperament, Jamie [Spencer] sat on her this morning and did a routine piece of work. She’s only going to do that bit before next week at Ascot – she worked five furlongs and did everything very easily.

"She’s fit, ready to go and all roads lead to Ascot next week. She’s very straightforward, has a great mind and a great temperament which stands you in good stead going to these bigger days. She’s got a lot of natural speed and obviously that helps.”

Gold Digger was purchased for 260,000 guineas at this year’s Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale from Tally Ho Stud by Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock and owner Phil Cunningham.

Reflecting on the purchase, Spencer said: "Phil [Cunningham] was after a filly. Anthony [Bromley] put together a list of fillies and when I went round, she stood out for us in the breeze and in the physical, so she was the one we really wanted to buy."

The Rebel Racing team were successful in acquiring their top pick of the sale and the filly came highly recommended by respected consignors Tally Ho Stud, known for producing elite breeze-up graduates, including Group 1 winner The Platinum Queen.

Spencer commented: "We bought her from Tally Ho which is a great farm. Roger O’Callaghan recommended her highly to us so she fitted the bill and hopefully we can see the rewards next week.”

Gold Digger made her winning debut in May [replay below], exactly one month after going through the Tattersalls sales ring. The quick turnaround proved testament to her temperament and preparation, as she quickly settled into the training regime at Sefton Lodge Stables in Newmarket.

Spencer said: “She had a week where she was turned out, just to give her a bit of down time after the sale. She was in the yard for three weeks before she ran and took everything very naturally as she fitted into the routine that we've got here.”

Her strong performance came as no surprise to connections, with Spencer adding: "She had done one piece of work where Jamie Spencer sat on her before the race. We were expecting that she could win if everything went to plan and she relaxed and did everything the right way.

“I would be lying if I said I didn't think she would win, from the breeze up to now - it’s not a long period of time, but she’s a filly that seems to do everything with ease.”

Looking ahead to Ascot, Spencer remains optimistic: "She has got a great mind which you need going into a day like Ascot. At Royal Ascot there are plenty of people and the atmosphere is pretty intense.

“Hopefully she can carry on that path of keeping her mind right as I think she’s very classy. She’s probably one of the best we’ve had for a good while.”

More from Sporting Life

• Free bets
• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.