The Karl Burke-trained Fallen Angel justified the journey across the channel to land a dramatic renewal of the mile Group 1 Prix Rothschild - Fonds Européen de l'Elevage (Gr.1), making her a Group 1 winner at two, three and four.
Whilst the grey filly's last success came in the 2024 renewal of the Group 1 Irish 1,000 Guineas, a contest in which she won comprehensively, she performed creditably with first-time cheekpieces applied on latest outing in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Gr.2) at Royal Ascot to finish third behind fellow Wathnan-owned Crimson Advocate, who reopposed in Deauville.
With the field splitting into two packs in the early part of proceedings, Danny Tudhope's mount led the group on the far side of the course. As the thirteen runners reconverged at the two-and-a-half furlong marker, the Karl Burke-trained filly maintained her narrow advantage and was organised to attempt to kick further clear inside the final furlong. With half-a-furlong remaining, Aidan O'Brien's January loomed upsides menacingly and threatened to take the lead. However, Fallen Angel proved determined in a driving finish to prevail by a head.
Winning rider Danny Tudhope told Sky Sports Racing in the aftermath: "She's a superstar, I'm quite emotional. I haven't ridden her since last year in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. She means a lot to me, and for the team as well. She's won three Group 1's now – as a two-year-old, three-year-old, and now as a four-year-old. It's amazing so I have to thank the whole team for giving me the chance to get back on her.
"She has a great mentality. Karl (Burke) always says she never shows a lot at home, but she must save it for the track. It's a great day for us all.
"We went quick. My plan was always to go forward. She's very straightforward. She had the cheekpieces on today. I thought she was a bit lit up in them, she wore them the last day but that's Karl's decision. I did always think she's a filly you couldn't go quick enough on. We were going quick enough there. She's toughed it out. They were close enough at the line. I think she got headed at one point then came back again.
"I was aware January was there, but she dug deep and got the result. It's softer the better for her. There's a bit of juice in the ground, but safe enough for her to run. She wouldn't really like it any quicker though. She's a superstar."
Fallen Angel was bred by Branton Court Stud out of the Group 2 winning Lawman mare Agnes Stewart, who landed the 2014 Group 2 May Hill Stakes before placing runner-up in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile. As a broodmare, she also produced four-time Listed-placed mare Divine Jewel, who also ran runner-up in the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes. She was purchased for an undisclosed fee by Wathnan Racing from Clipper Logistics in August 2024.
