This season, the rear view of superstar miler Henrythenavigator has become a familiar sight for Raven’s Pass but the thoroughly consistent Elusive Quality colt exacted revenge on Saturday with a superb run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot.
This was his first win at the highest level but Raven’s Pass’ career has been marked by utter genuineness in outstanding company. His form figures for eleven runs read: 1-1-1-3-2-4-2-2-2-1-1. Four of his five victories have been at Stakes level with his first Group win, in the Solario Stakes at Sandown as a two-year-old, being a track record-breaking performance.
Strongly fancied French raider Tamayuz, himself a dual G1 winner, got the better of Raven’s Pass in the Prix Jean Prat back in July, but neither he nor Henrythenavigator could peg him back today and, while ‘Henry’ finished second, Sabana Perdida, a Group Two winner by Cape Cross, ran on past Tamayuz to take third.
Sporting the green-and-black colours of HRH Princess Haya of Jordan, which were carried to victory by New Approach in the Derby at Epsom, Raven’s Pass is now on course for a trip to Santa Anita to run in the Breeders’ Cup, with his options being either the Mile or the Classic.
Cape Cross fillies finished second and third in the Listed Fasig-Tipton Rosemary Stakes on the undercard at Ascot, with Mekong Melody grabbing the runner-up slot and Ghaidaa, a daughter of Oaks winner Midway Lady, finishing third.
