Gregory shows class in dominating Rose Bowl Stakes victory

High-class stayer Gregory continued his resurgence with a dominant display in the Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes at Newmarket.

John and Thady Gosden’s charge was unbeaten when winning the 2023 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot under Frankie Dettori, after which he was placed in the Great Voltigeur, the Yorkshire Cup, the Goodwood Cup and the Lonsdale Cup.

A disappointing trip to Saudi Arabia proved to be his only outing of 2025, but having proved the fire still burns when making a successful return from over a year off the track in the Grand Cup at York in June, he was a 4-7 favourite to make it back-to-back Listed wins on the Rowley Mile.

Odds-on backers will have had few concerns as Gregory travelled like much the best horse in the 10-strong field under James Doyle and kicked clear at the business end of the two-mile contest to record an 11-length win, with Nicky Henderson’s Goblet Of Fire pipping rank outsider Peace Belle to the runner-up spot.

Thady Gosden said: “It’s his first run for a while having won on his comeback at York earlier in the year. He did it pretty well and they went a nice gallop all the way with no hiding places. He loves the fast ground here and he picked up nicely when James asked him.

“We’ve given him a little bit of time in the summer and we only run them when we’re 100 per cent happy with them. He’s turned up in good shape for both his runs.

“He won at Ascot the same year Courage Mon Ami won the Gold Cup and it’s fantastic he is still here and winning stakes races for them (owners Wathnan Racing). He’s been lightly raced so hopefully there is more to come from him.”

Paddy Power cut Gregory to 5-1 from 12-1 for the Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Champions Day (October 17) and that Group One contest will now be considered alongside an alternative option in France.

“Speaking to James he thinks two miles might be the top end of his trip, so we will have to see what the future holds,” Gosden added.

“He has an entry in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day and also in the Prix Royal-Oak after that, so we will see what the ground is like.

“He’s by Golden Horn and loves this fast ground, so if the ground holds till then we will see. It’s nearly October and there’s a chance it might get wet before then, but at the moment the forecast is looking good.”