Horse Racing

Ortensia Flashes Home to win Nunthorpe Stakes

Australian sprinter Ortensia has capped off her international tour with a win in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday.

Ortensia settled well back in the field but showed amazing acceleration to flash home on the inside rail and take the lead in the final furlong.

The win was the star mare’s first Group 1 victory in Great Britain, after she finished outside the placing’s in the King’s Stand Stakes and July Cup earlier in her campaign.

The Nunthorpe Stakes was her third Group 1 win, which have remarkably all been won in different countries.

Leading jockey, William Buick, timed his run brilliantly and had nothing but praise for the Australian mare.

“She’s unbelievable; I can’t remember riding a horse that can go through so many gears over five furlongs. She’s an amazing mare and the best five-furlong horse I’ve ridden,” Buick said.

The victory was even more impressive considering the softness of the track at York, after heavy rainstorms in the days prior softened the track significantly.

Ortensia’s failure in the King’s Stand Stakes was put down to not handling the softness of the track and she had never won on a heavy track in Australia, which had connections questioning whether she could be competitive in the Nunthorpe Stakes.

Trainer Paul Messara was delighted that his star horse had proved his doubts wrong.

“I couldn’t believe it yesterday when it poured down. I thought we were coming here with no chance. I walked the track this morning and again thought we didn’t have a chance. I just thought it was too soft for her to show her acceleration,” Messara said.

“It’s the most amazing feeling. To win a big one over here is a huge thrill.”

Ortensia will now head to the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on September 8.