Jet-like finish secures Group One success in Deauville
Senorita Bonita travelled to Deauville having already marked herself out among the leading juveniles and she confirmed that status with a commanding victory in the Sumbe Prix Morny.
The Starspangledbanner filly, bought for 900,000 guineas at April’s Craven Breeze-Up sale and trained by the father-and-son team of Simon and Ed Crisford, arrived on the Normandy coast on the back of a previous pattern success in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.
Patiently handled, devastating turn of foot
Ridden towards the rear by Oisin Murphy, Senorita Bonita was forced to make up ground on the long-time leader Carry The Flag as the race approached the final third. When Murphy asked for an effort the response was immediate: the filly accelerated through the field and pulled clear of the pacemaker to score readily.
The performance combined a measured ride with a powerful late change of gear and a strong gallop-out, underlining both her natural speed and maturity for a two-year-old competing at the highest level.
Building on strong recent form for fillies
The victory represents the Crisfords’ second success in the race following Vandeek’s success in 2023, and it continues a recent run of prominence for fillies in the contest after Venetian Sun’s win the previous year. It is also a pleasing follow-up to Senorita Bonita’s earlier pattern victory and consolidates her position among the top juveniles of the season.
Owned by Victorious Racing, the filly is out of a mare by Ruler Of The World, a pedigree note that connections say gives encouragement about her prospects as she develops.
Plans and potential targets
Connections have indicated that Newmarket’s Cheveley Park Stakes at the end of September is the most likely next target, a logical step for a filly with her profile and recent form. Should she head there, she could meet previous rivals again as the curtain comes down on the season for two-year-olds.
Looking beyond this term, the Crisfords have suggested the filly could progress into her three-year-old campaign with the potential to be campaigned over slightly longer trips, reflecting the stamina influences on her dam’s side, while also acknowledging her clear natural speed at sprint distances as a juvenile.
Festival relevance
While the Prix Morny was run in Normandy, the result will be of interest to followers of the major British and Irish festivals. The pattern of Group One victories by juveniles and the ongoing debate over sprinting speed versus future classic potential are themes that frequently shape the narrative at meetings such as Royal Ascot and the autumn pattern programme.
Senorita Bonita’s performance – a blend of tactical restraint, a potent late kick and professional finishing strength – is the sort of form that festival followers will note when assessing prospects for the remainder of the season and beyond.
- Horse: Senorita Bonita (Starspangledbanner)
- Trainer: Simon and Ed Crisford
- Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- Sale: 900,000 guineas, Craven Breeze-Up
- Notable recent target: Cheveley Park Stakes (Newmarket)
The win adds another high-profile success to the Crisfords’ stable and sets up an intriguing end to the juvenile season for a filly who has combined commercial appeal with genuine Group One ability.
