Loving Dream Upsets Ribblesdale

ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND – Dismissed in the stateside betting at 18/1 odds, Lordship Stud homebred Loving Dream closely stalked early leader Dubai Fountain before getting first run on that rival and taking off to upset Thursday’s Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) at Ascot Racecourse.

Loving Dream took over 2 furlongs from home and separated herself enough early so that she had enough left to hold back hard-charging Eshaada and win by 3/4 of a length over her fellow 3-year-old fillies. Trained by the father-son duo of John and Thady Gosden and piloted by Robert Havlin, the daughter of Gleneagles found victory for the second time in her 5-start career and first on grass.

“Loving Dream is a filly that likes to use her stride,” Havlin said. “I committed to go forward and William Buick (aboard Dubai Fountain) done the same. We went quick down the hill, and then she quickened from the 4 to the 3-furlong pole. She then just kept finding and finding – it was a gutsy performance.”

Nicest rallied to neck out Divinely for third, with a fading Dubai Fountain 1 length behind them in fifth. The 2/1 favorite Noon Star, Gloria Mundi, Aristia, Taslima, Annerville, Gwenhwyvar, and Twisted Reality completed the order of finish.

Loving Dream returned $39 to win and $11.60 to place. Eshaada brought back $6.20 to place. Nicest paid $18 to place.