Cathedral
Cathedral did well to finish second in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday, given that she raced up behind the strong pace that Falakeyah set from early. Smartly away and quickly into her stride, she settled nicely in second place behind Falakeyah through the early stages of the race. She went on as they raced to the two-furlong marker as the leader weakened, and she did well to respond like she did when she was challenged by Jancis. She went down by just over two lengths in the end, with the first two finishing well clear of their rivals.
You usually want to race prominently on the Rowley Mile, and there was a tailwind on Sunday, so that should have accentuated the advantage to be gained by racing handily. But they just went too fast up front here, as evidenced by the winner's finishing speed of 97% of overall speed and the early leader's finishing speed of just over 91%. The winner and the third horse, Survie, were second last and last early on. Indeed, three of the first four home were third last, second last and last passing the five-furlong marker. Cathedral was second at that point. The leader Falakeyah faded to finish sixth, beaten 12 and a half lengths. Cathedral did really well to finish a clear second.
Kevin Philippart De Foy's filly hasn't won since she won on her racecourse debut as a juvenile in September 2024, but she ran some good races in defeat last season, most notably when she finished fourth in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September, and then on her final run last season, when she finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar in November. Third in the Listed Snowdrop Stakes over a mile at Kempton on her debut this season, this was a nice step forward from that, and she should be able to continue to progress. She saw out this nine-furlong trip well and, out of a half-sister to Arc winner Bluestocking, it may be that she will be even better over 10 furlongs.
Newmarket, 3rd May 2026
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