Senorita Bonita proves jet-propelled in Prix Morny

Senorita Bonita demonstrated her devastating turn of foot to scorch to Sumbe Prix Morny glory in Deauville.

The 900,000 guineas top lot from April’s Craven Breeze-Up sale, Simon and Ed Crisford’s filly arrived on the Normandy coast looking to follow up her victory in Newmarket’s Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, a win that received a timely boost by Lowther Stakes scorer Libertango earlier this week.

Held up towards the rear by Oisin Murphy, with Clive Cox’s Royal Ascot winner Orthodox ahead, the daughter of Starspangledbanner had plenty of ground to make up on Aidan O’Brien’s front-running Carry The Flag entering the final third of the contest.

However, once the champion jockey stepped on the accelerator the response was instant, as not only did Senorita Bonita rapidly eat away at the deficit but then surged readily clear of the long-time pace-setter for a thoroughly impressive victory.

It was the father and son training team’s second victory in the Group One race after Vandeek in 2023, while it continues the fine record of fillies in the contest following on from Venetian Sun’s triumph for Karl Burke 12 months ago.