Ryan Moore’s Birthday Double as Sound Angela and Hold A Dream Dazzle at Yarmouth

 Yarmouth Racecourse witnessed an exhilarating display of equine talent, with Roger Varian's Sound Angela stealing the spotlight in the EBF Stallions John Musker Fillies' Stakes. The five-year-old mare, a 17-2 shot, showcased determination and class under Silvestre de Sousa, delivering a captivating performance that brought her a hard-fought victory over a strong field of 14 runners.

Having placed fourth in the same race last year and consistently performing at the Listed level across France and the UK, Sound Angela was more than familiar with the challenges of this 10-furlong race. Breaking from stall seven, she travelled well throughout the contest, showing her composure and strength. As the race unfolded, she began to pick off her rivals, taking command at the furlong marker.

However, the race was far from over, with the fast-finishing Naomi Lapaglia looming large in the closing stages. But Sound Angela responded to every push from de Sousa, who praised her post-race, saying, "She responded to every effort, she showed a good, willing attitude today." Holding off the challenge, Sound Angela crossed the line victorious by half a length. This victory marks a significant achievement in her racing career and hints at her further potential.

Sound Angela takes the feature!

This five-year-old finds a key change of gear and duly delivers under a @SilvDSousa drive in the feature John Musker Fillies' Stakes at @GTYarmouthRaces for @varianstable! pic.twitter.com/lPL5zNMkhb

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 18, 2024

 Hold A Dream Makes It Third Time Lucky

Another star of the day, Clive Cox’s promising Hold A Dream, finally saw her hard work pay off after finishing second in her previous two runs. The three-year-old filly made all the running in the British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes and secured her first win under Rossa Ryan, holding off Dash Of Azure by a length and a half.

Ryan, beaming with satisfaction, shared his thoughts post-race: "She did it well. She’s been pleasing, and she’s got her head in front which she deserved, and she did it with a bit of style." The filly's natural speed and maturity stood out, though Ryan noted she is still learning: "She has plenty of speed, and when I turned it on, she still hasn’t quite figured out how to drop down and go, but that will come. She’s going the right way about it."
Hold A Dream's future looks bright, with Ryan optimistic about her potential to stretch out over longer distances in time. For now, her strong sprinting ability seems more than enough to carry her forward in the competitive world of flat racing.

Ryan Moore Celebrates Birthday Double with Nightwalker and James Webb

Ryan Moore marked his 41st birthday in style, securing a winning double with Nightwalker and James Webb, both trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who is set to retire soon. Moore’s day at Yarmouth was as impressive as his illustrious career, with his victories adding a memorable chapter to Stoute’s final days in racing.

James Webb, who claimed the Goffs Orby Handicap, was particularly impressive in holding off Cambridgeshire favourite Roi De France by three-quarters of a length. Assistant trainer James Savage commented, "He really appreciates fast ground and a level track. He’s always behind the bridle, waiting for company. He could have a nice future."

 James Webb's preference for fast, level tracks was evident, and despite the challenges of placing him in suitable races, Savage expressed optimism: "We took a chance going to Pontefract, but now we know undulating tracks don’t suit him. He’s not going to be the easiest to place, but he’s a horse with a future."

Meanwhile, Nightwalker also displayed his potential in the two-year-old ranks, earning praise for his maturity and learning on the job. Savage was confident about his prospects, suggesting that the colt’s performance over a mile and a quarter could be even more impressive.

"Nightwalker is learning on the job too. He ran a nice race today and could be a very nice horse over a mile and a quarter," Savage remarked, hinting at the colt's bright future. As both Nightwalker and James Webb continue to develop under the expert eye of the soon-to-retire Sir Michael Stoute, their potential looks set to shine even brighter in the seasons to come.

 Roger Varian’s Consistent Success

Roger Varian’s team continues to impress, with both Sound Angela and his other runners performing consistently at the highest levels. His strategic placement of horses in the right races has been a hallmark of his success, and Sound Angela’s victory in the John Musker Fillies' Stakes only adds to that legacy.

"Roger places his horses very well, as you see, they’ve been running very consistently. We’ve had Group winners, Listed winners, every type of winner," Savage added, praising Varian's expertise in bringing out the best in his horses.

The day’s performances at Yarmouth were not just victories on the track; they were victories of character, will, and strategic brilliance. As Hold A Dream, James Webb, Nightwalker, and Sound Angela all look ahead to brighter futures, racing fans will no doubt keep a keen eye on these stars in the making.