Sparks Fly aiming for the big time after dazzling Epsom performance

David Loughnane will be shooting for the stars with Sparks Fly after the popular mare won a second Group Three at Epsom on Derby day.

The six-year-old has been better than ever this season, finishing hot on the heels of Lambourn and Bay City Roller at Chester before Laura Pearson took the brave route along the rail in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes in an inspired move.

She had the race won fully two furlongs from home and coasted home to win by over eight lengths, with a Group One win now the main aim.

Loughnane was not at Epsom, but said on Monday: “I was out of the country and I only landed back in on Saturday, so I was unable to make it unfortunately, but she got the job done without me there.

“It was unbelievable. I was confident going into the race and the rain that fell made me more bullish. Laura rang me a couple of times seeing if she was doing the right thing staying left, but I told her we had a plan and to stick to it.

“She doesn’t hang left anymore, but there was no need to come across, you can see how much ground you lose by doing that and she’s also a horse who doesn’t mind being on her own.

“She was only a length and a half behind the horse (Bay City Roller) who won the Coronation Cup by 10 lengths at Chester on the wrong ground – on soft ground she’d have been an awful lot closer.

“I’ve been adamant she is a Group One filly for two years and I think people are starting to listen to me now. Her owner Dave Lowe mentioned retiring her at the end of last season, but I asked for one more year.

“I’ve full faith she can win a Group One, she wasn’t beaten far in the Matron last season on ground too quick, her form keeps stepping up and on the right ground I’m sure she’ll win one.

“She’ll have a bit of a break now probably, but there are some nice races at the back-end of the season like the Matron or a couple of options in France and there’s a race in Germany as well.

“I think she’s fine over anything from seven furlongs to a mile and a quarter so it opens up a few more options.

“As Laura said, she’s like a fine wine, she’s improving with age.”