Extremely Zain outclasses York rivals
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 13 Jun 2026
Extremely Zain is set to have his sights raised later this summer after maintaining his unbeaten record with a dominant victory in the Sky Bet Supporting Macmillan Handicap at York.
A runaway on his Newcastle debut in late December, the William Haggas-trained three-year-old doubled his tally on his Newbury reappearance last month and was the 2-1 favourite to complete his hat-trick on his handicap bow on the Knavesmire.
Extremely Zain struggled for room racing inside the final two furlongs of this seven-furlong contest, but once Cieren Fallon switched the son of Hello Youmzain to the near side of the track he quickened nicely to grab the lead and found another gear to win going away by two lengths.
Philip Robinson, racing manager for owner Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: “He’s nice and he’s definitely Group-race material anyway, but whether he’s top-class we’ll have to wait and see. One step at a time, hopefully this is a stepping-stone to a Group race.
“He had a tendency in his early days to jump on the right rein and hang left and it’s very pleasing now to see that he’s running straight as a die and going forward – that’s a great thing in itself.
“I know the owner is very keen to go on for Group races as soon as possible.”
Charlie Appleby’s Inner City Blues made a big splash on his debut in the Tomahawk Restaurants Supporting Macmillan EBF Maiden Stakes.
A €900,000 purchase for Godolphin at Arqana last month, the Blue Point colt was the 4-9 favourite to get off to a winning start and did so in some style, overcoming obvious signs of greenness to pull two lengths clear in the hands of William Buick.
“It was very pleasing really. He’s a lovely looking horse and he’s got a lovely mind to go with it. He’s very relaxed and very confident in everything he does and I was very pleased with his debut,” said the jockey.
“He’ll sharpen up plenty for that. He’s got plenty of speed and he’ll get seven furlongs in time.”
Sophie Dobson secured her first win under rules aboard the Karl Burke-trained Dunkeld Dreamer (4-1) in the prestigious Queen Mother’s Cup.
The 17-year-old scored on just her sixth ride, but was made to sweat it out in a photo finish, getting up to beat Humble Spark by a nose.
Dobson, who for landing this prize wins her own weight in champagne, said: “She’s such a nice filly and she always tries her heart out. It’s such an amazing feeling, it doesn’t feel like I’ve actually done it yet.
“I brought her back into work at the beginning of the year and I ride her quite a bit at home.
“This was my sixth ride and my mum worked for Karl for 25 years.”
Ryan Moore celebrated being awarded an MBE with victory on Andrew Balding’s 2-1 favourite Point Of Contact in the Ice Co Supporting Macmillan Handicap, while the concluding Fordy Marshall Handicap went to 14-1 shot Musical Touch, trained by Richard and Peter Fahey and ridden by 7lb claimer Jake Dickson.
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