Marco Botti eyeing Group Two success at Newmarket for smart filly.
Marco Botti’s talented three-year-old filly, Great Generation, is poised to cap off her season in style at Newmarket's Challenge Stakes after a stirring victory at Doncaster. Having bounced back from a disappointing run in France, the filly reaffirmed her class and determination in the Group Three Sceptre Stakes on the final day of the St Leger Festival.
It wasn’t the smoothest journey to this point for Great Generation, who earlier in the season claimed the Group Three Chartwell Fillies' Stakes at Lingfield. The promising filly, filled with early-season hope, had also run a respectable close fourth in the Summer Stakes at York. But everything changed when she took a step up in class and traveled to Deauville for the prestigious Prix Maurice de Gheest. That day in France saw her trail home at the back of the field, a far cry from the form she had shown earlier in the season.
Speaking on her dismal run in Deauville, Botti admitted that something simply wasn’t right. “Her run was too bad to be true in France, and it just didn’t pan out. But we always knew she was a nice filly,” Botti remarked. The trip to Deauville may have been a misstep, but it wasn’t enough to dampen the hopes surrounding this spirited horse.
The filly's return to the UK in the Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster, however, was an entirely different story. Back in more familiar territory and on ground that suited her, Great Generation showed her mettle with a determined and powerful display. Botti revealed, “The ground at Doncaster was just OK for her. If it had been any softer, we would have been in trouble. But carrying the penalty, she did it nicely.” The stiff six or seven furlongs now seem to be her optimal distance, and there’s a sense that she still has more to offer.
With her latest triumph, Great Generation's connections are now eyeing one last test before the season draws to a close. The Challenge Stakes at Newmarket looms large as the perfect stage for her to prove herself once again. “She needs decent ground, so we think the Group Two at Newmarket is the only real option before the season ends,” Botti explained, putting to rest any rumors of another foray to France. “We won’t go to France again,” he confirmed, knowing that the conditions across the Channel wouldn’t suit her as well as those in Newmarket.
The Challenge Stakes would provide an opportunity for Great Generation to end the year on a high, showcasing her talent on one of British racing’s grandest stages. But the excitement doesn’t stop there—Botti also hinted at the prospect of keeping her in training for the 2025 season. “She should stay in training next season, so hopefully we can have a good season next year,” Botti revealed, offering hope to fans eager to see the filly continue to develop and compete at the highest level.
As the curtain begins to fall on the flat racing season, all eyes will be on Great Generation as she prepares for what could be a thrilling conclusion to her campaign. Her journey this year has been one of ups and downs, but there’s no denying the heart and resilience that has carried her back into the winner’s circle. The Challenge Stakes would be a fitting finale, a stage where Great Generation could sign off her season with yet another show of brilliance and set the tone for what could be an even more promising future.
For now, Marco Botti’s camp can savor the moment and plot the final steps of an eventful season. With the memory of her Doncaster victory still fresh and the anticipation of Newmarket ahead, Great Generation has a chance to prove that her best days are still to come.
