Benbatl caught in final stride of G2 Celebration Mile

Benbatl was collared on the line when going down by a short-head to Lavender’s Blue in the G2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood, UK, on Saturday 28 August.

The three-time G1 winner, making his first appearance of 2021 for Saeed bin Suroor, raced in last early on after breaking awkwardly before recovering to dispute third behind Pogo and Happy Power.

Benbatl stayed on strongly for Oisin Murphy to hit the front entering the final furlong but couldn’t shake off the late challenge of Lavender’s Blue, who headed the Dubawi entire in the shadow of the post as the duo pulled two lengths clear of Pogo in third.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Benbatl reared in the stalls, which caused him to miss the break, but he still ran a big race to finish a close second.

“We will keep the options open for Champions Day at Ascot, whether we go for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes or the G1 Champion Stakes, and he could run in the G2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket again beforehand.”