Fallen Angel (11/4) landed her third consecutive Group 1 success of 2025 and fifth overall when making all in Saturday's BetMGM Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket. The mile contest is for fillies and mares.

Racing from stall three, the four-year-old grey went straight to the front and remained there throughout under James Doyle. She faced a challenge from Blue Bolt (17/2) inside the final quarter mile but kept on finding more and stayed on resolutely for a two and a quarter length success. There was a further four and a half lengths back to 11/8 favourite Cinderella’s Dream in third.

Prior to today the Too Darn Hot filly, who races in the colours of Wathnan Racing, had recorded Group 1 wins at Deauville and Leopardstown on her two previous outings.

With Storm Amy battering much of the UK, winning trainer Karl Burke was grateful for the rain it had delivered at Newmarket.

He said: “The ground was so quick at (Royal) Ascot and you could see her head came up coming round the bend. As long as there is no jar in the ground, she is fine but when there is jar in the ground, she just doesn’t let herself down.

“I was more than hopeful she would come back but I would be lying if I said I thought she would win three Group 1s on the bounce.”

On the fitting of cheekpieces this season, Burke explained: “She just got very idle at home and was only going through the motions. We needed to sharpen her up and she worked very well in them the first time we used them, so it was a no-brainer not to put them on her at Ascot and then after that we knew it was the ground as to why she didn’t perform at Ascot.

“She is tough, and I think running her over a mile you can afford to be aggressive with her. She stays further but her run style is that she doesn’t like being pulled around and she shows that in her work at home – if you try sitting in behind horses and asking her to quicken, she doesn’t do a lot. She loves being competitive.

“This time last week Richard Brown (racing manager to owner Wathnan Racing) called me and said we can’t run her on the good to firm ground (at Newmarket). Of the course the weather changed and that nice Storm Amy came across to save the day for us!”

As to future plans, Fallen Angel is now likely to take on the colts in two weeks’ time in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot while the grey is also set to stay in training next year.

Burke continued: “Ascot is the plan. We spoke beforehand with Richard and said if she performed well today – even if she hadn’t won – we would give her a shot at the boys so I can’t wait for two weeks’ time.

“I can’t imagine Ascot will dry out as quick as a place like Newmarket. It’s very tacky and soft there today so I’ll say it will be good ground at fastest.

“The plan is for her to stay in training next year as long as she finishes the season sound. Wathnan are at the moment very much a racing operation. Obviously, they will also breed from her, but fingers crossed she will be in again for next year.

“To have these horses and to come to these meetings is great. We seem to have plenty of horses that we can do it with so it’s all credit to the team at home. There are my daughters and Elaine (wife) and they are backed up with some really good people – good assistants, good staff and good work riders.

“I think Fallen Angel is a mile and a quarter horse really. I am sure she will stay, and we will discuss it next year. We could maybe go for something like the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville where they might leave us alone in front – that will be interesting.”

James Doyle added: “She gives you everything. As we know, her good attributes are that she is a strong galloper at a mile and there was a tailwind today.

“The drying ground was a slight concern but as long as it is not quick, she is fine. She galloped them into the ground.

“Today, if there was something that wanted to go on I was happy to get a tow and I was glad that Blue Bolt took me on when she did because it just kept her focused and we saw that in Ireland and at Deauville, when she got headed on both occasions and battled back well. She did the same again today.

“This is what it’s all about isn’t it, these top-class winners. I am very pleased for Wathnan Racing and everyone involved. A big thank you to Karl Burke and his team – he’s an incredible trainer isn’t he when you look at the races he wins, week in and week out. He certainly knows how to get the job done.”