At Newmarket, Mawj won the 1,000 Guineas, giving jockey Oisin Murphy his first victory since serving a lengthy suspension.
The 9-1 long shot trained by Saeed bin Suroor and 6-4 favourite Tahiyra, who was ridden by Chris Hayes, pulled out in front of the field.
Bin Suroor returned to the winner’s enclosure of a Classic for the first time since the 2009 St. Leger thanks to Murphy’s mount, who fought valiantly to maintain a tiny lead. Caernarfon (25-1) came in fourth, followed by Matilda Picotte (33-1) in third.
Murphy, a three-time champion rider, was given a 14-month suspension in February after violating Covid-19 regulations and exceeding the legal alcohol limit twice.
Murphy responded that there was “nothing better” when ITV Racing questioned him about the triumph in light of his former struggles, adding, “To win is wonderful.” Murphy had previously triumphed in the Classic by winning the 2,000 Guineas aboard Kameko in 2020.
Billy Loughnane, 17, became the youngest jockey to compete in an English Classic since Lester Piggott, then 15 years old, rode in the 1951 Derby at the same race.
Seven months after starting his riding career, Loughnane finished 14th with 200-1 outsider Sweet Harmony.
