Daahyeh Duels Way to Albany Score

ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND – Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s Daahyeh dueled gamely with a tough foe and came out the victor in Friday’s Albany Stakes (G3) on Day 4 of the Royal Ascot meet.

Breaking from post 6 under David Egan at 5/1 stateside odds, Daahyeh was within a few lengths of early leader Chili Petin as part of the group running along the inner rail. As she neared the 2-furlong pole, Egan steered Daahyeh toward the outside in search of clear running room.

Dashing through the opening, Daahyeh began to break free from the group, but Celtic Beauty came with her and initially began to pull away. Daahyeh fought back determinedly and regained command inside the final furlong, then drew off late in the shadow of the wire to win the 6-furlong sprint by 1 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:14.11.

“She didn’t jump so well first time out, but she did today, and we soon settled into a good position,” Egan said. “Approaching the 2-furlong marker, I could see things were getting a bit tight in front of me and I was glad I just took her back and then to the outside to get her to pick up. She had to battle inside the final furlong, but when I picked up my whip, she really battled and hit the line strong. She’s a very nice filly and will definitely stay further.”

Only two of the field’s 25 runners received less support than Aroha at the American betting window, but that filly rewarded her few followers handsomely with a valiant third-place effort. The rest of the field crossed thusly: Alabama Whitman, Precious Moments, Lil Grey, Lorelei Rock, Silent Wave, Diligent Deb, Back To Brussels, So Wonderful, Chili Petin, Nayibeth, Galadriel, Separate, Fleeting Princess, Exclusively, Kemble, Exceptional, Seraphinite, Get The Look, Graceful Magic, Jm Jackson, Moon Of Love, and Last Surprise.

Paper Star was a non-runner.

Daayeh’s win was her second in as many career starts after the juvenile daughter of Bated Breath broke her maiden on May 18 at Newmarket for trainer Roger Varian.

“Daayeh won nicely today,” Varian said. “She has always worked like a horse who could be quite nice. It was lovely to see her do it like that. Today was the first time she was in a scrap, but at the line, she looked a good winner. She is promising, looking ahead to the future, and it looks like she’ll stay 7 furlongs on the back of that – she got the trip really well.”

Daayeh returned $12.40 to win and $5.60 to place, Celtic Beauty brought back $18.80 to place, and Aroha paid $141.60 to place.