First Winner in UK for US Triple Crown Winner, American Pharoah
Godolphin's Saqqara King's win in a 7-furlong Novice gave him bragging rights as the first winner in Britain and the second in Europe for Coolmore's Triple Crown hero American Pharoah. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy skipped Royal Ascot for the pleasure of doing so at Newmarket.
The first winner for American Pharoah in Europe came when the Aidan O'Brien-trained Monarch of Egypt made a fine impression on debut in Ireland back.
Sent off an odds on favourite following a close up fourth when making his debut at Doncaster, Saqqara King kept up a strong gallop to fend off the challenge of the Exceed And Excel colt Mass Media by half a length.
Racing Post commented: 'Slowly into stride, soon prominent, lost place over 5f out, switched left halfway, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on'.
A $200,000 purchase by Godolphin at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Saqqara King is out of the top-class Tapit mare Joyful Victory who won or placed in a total of 14 stakes, headed by wins in the 2013 Gr.1 Santa Margarita and 2011 Gr.2 Fantasy Stakes while banking US$1,252,679 for owner Rick Porter and trainer Larry Jones.