Throwback Tuesday – Bosra Sham winning the 1995 Ascot Fillies’ Mile

Despite the fact that we are now approaching the end of the 2016 flat season, there are still some important races left to look forward to. The G1 Fillies’ Mile (2-year-olds) will take place at Headquarters on Friday, which gives us an excuse to remind ourselves of one particular renewal that featured an exceptional horse.

The runners that dominated the betting markets included Rouge Rancon, Bint Shadayid, Shawanni and Sir Henry Cecil’s Bosra Sham. Punters showed little appetite for backing either of the 2 remaining juveniles (Zelzeyah and Matiya).

Back then, this race was held at Ascot and the move to Newmarket only happened in 2011. They left the stalls without any drama and only Matiya showed any interest in taking the lead. Shawani immediately began to look unsettled and Michael Kinane was struggling to settle the Barry Hills-trained filly down.

Matiya continued to lead unchallenged and it remained this way until they reached the 2f pole with all 6 horses bunched together. Bint Shadayid was the first to get upside of Matiya, although the rank-outsider did rally.

With 1.5 furlongs left to travel, Bosra Sham arrived on the scene. By the time they past the final marker, the race was settled. Pat Eddery pressed the button on Bosra Sham and a star was born. It was only her 2nd outing, but her class was there for all to see.

She only ran twice as a 2-year-old, but there were no signs of inexperience during her Classic campaign. Bosra Sham won the Fred Darling Stakes, the 1,000 Guineas and the Champion Stakes (which led to her being named European Champion Three-Year Old Filly). As a 4-year-old, she also scooped the Brigadier Gerard Stakes and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Her last race was the 1997 International Stakes, where she finished last of 4 runners after reportedly losing a shoe. This was an apt, if not particularly glorious, way to bring the curtain down on a glittering career as foot problems had dogged her throughout it. The fact that she still won so many important races emphasises just how much ability Bosra Sham was blessed with.

Our ante-post market for the 2016 Fillies’ Mile is already live. Horses attracting the interest of bettors include Sobetsu, Rhododendron, Spatial, Hydrangea, Grecian Light, Kazimiera and Hugo Palmer’s Fleabiscuit.

The CH4 Racing team will be broadcasting live from Newmarket, so you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the race live. 3 other black-type encounters are on the card. Yalta and Afandem are amongst those competing in the G3 Cornwallis Stakes.

Last year’s G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes was won by First Victory, a horse that has disappointed as a 3-year-old. Glitter Girl and Grecian Lights should both run big races, this time around.

The G2 Dubai 100 Challenge Stakes will feature Aidan O’Brien’s Cougar Mountain. Markaz will represent Owen Burrows.

Swiss Range, Desert Haze and Materialistic should all go well in the Listed Pride Stakes. Friday’s card at Newmarket looks absolutely terrific, so don’t miss the live action on CH4!