BOLT FROM BLUE

Mare secures shock victory for Perrett at local course

LAVENDER’S BLUE sprang a 20-1 shock for an emotional victory in the Group 2 tote Celebration Mile at Goodwood.

The mare’s trainer, Amanda Perrett, assisted her father Guy Harwood during a career forever associated with the great Dancing Brave, an iconic winner of the 1986 Prix de l’arc de Triomphe.

Perrett’s Pulborough stable, 15 miles down the road from Goodwood, has endured some lean times since landing this race with Tillerman 19 years ago.

But five-year-old Lavender’s Blue, who carries the colours of Abba’s Benny Andersson, put Perrett and her husband Mark back in the big-race limelight with a battling short-head verdict over 9-4 favourite Benbatl that gave jockey Rob Hornby the biggest success of his career.

“She’s been great – she’s kept our name in the frame and she deserved a big race,” said Mark Perrett. “She’s had a few near misses.

“A couple of times she has run really well but the ground has been too easy for her. She loves this fast ground.

“I was hoping at best we could finish placed – we never came here thinking we could win. Amanda is showjumping with the kids, and just rang me in tears. It’s enormous.”

Perrett, whose stable now houses 30 thoroughbreds – “the lowest for a long time” – added: “We’re not doing any different to 10 years ago, but I’ve never known it so tough.

“We need all the help we can get in the present time but we’ll keep trying and we live in hope.

“That’s what this game’s all about – dreams and hope.”

Lavender’s Blue could travel to

Del Mar in California for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf on November 6.

Perrett in the meantime could return the stable star to the highest level for Newmarket’s Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes on October 2.

“We’d be guaranteed firm ground and a good pace,” he said.

“If you’re not in, you can’t win. We’ve nothing to lose.”

James Ferguson saddled the first Group winner in his second full season with a training licence as Mise En Scene and Oisín Murphy collared 7-2 market leader Daneh for the Prestige Stakes.

“It took her a little time to get organised but when she knuckled down it was great to see her win,” said Ferguson.”