Marten Julian’s Weekly Roundup 21 July 2026
July 27th, 2026 | Marten's Perspective
Although these are early days to be looking towards next year’s Classics, I’ll be disappointed if Victorious doesn’t figure in the early reckoning.
The daughter of Wootton Bassett has won each of her three starts, notably last time when beating Senorita Bonita in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.
She made her debut in a 6f maiden at Naas in April. Ducking right at the start, she was ridden from halfway and it was only inside the final furlong that she came away from Aedhmar to win by one and three-quarter lengths.
Subsequent events have shown that form in a very favourable light.
The runner-up has not reappeared, but the third Livenka has won a Fairyhouse maiden, the fourth Beibhinn has finished third in two Group 2s and is now rated on 95 and the fifth, Ballinea Star, has won a Group 3 at the Curragh and now has a rating of 100.
Three weeks later Victorious returned to Naas over the same trip for the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Fillies Sprint Stakes. On this occasion she was prominent throughout and kept on well to hold the persistent challenge of newcomer Controlla by a neck, with the third six lengths away.
The runner-up, now rated on 99, has since finished down the field in the Windsor Castle and last but one in a Group 2, the third Dancing Destiny has won a Listed race at Naas and is rated on 89 and the fourth Vollering is rated 91 and has run creditably in Pattern races.
Victorious was dropped in trip to five furlongs for the Queen Mary Stakes. Steadily away, she was at the rear of the far side pack until halfway, when Ryan Moore switched her left for a run which took her into the lead to pass the line two lengths clear of the runner-up Senorita Bonita.
As you’re aware Senorita Bonita has subsequently landed the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes, where she quickened up impressively to beat Albany Stakes winner Libertango.
The fifth Crownbreaker has won a Listed contest at Deauville, Fast Track who was 14th, Kentucky Rain who was 16th and the last home, Bint Archange, have each won from the handful that have since appeared.
Victorious represents just about the pick of the juvenile fillies’ form from the season to date. What is especially impressive is the ease with which she handled the drop to five furlongs at Royal Ascot after her two runs over six.
She is the fourth foal of her dam and is a full sister to dual-7f winner Stellenbosch and a half-sister to Sugar Island, third in the Oaks and a winner at 7f and a mile, and extended 1m 3f winner Mother Nature.
The dam Heaven On Earth won over an extended 1m 3f and is a half-sister to Oaks winners Tuesday and Minding.
Victorious is blind in her left eye, which could pose a problem if she were to line up at Epsom. I would imagine the Fillies’ Mile is a likely consideration for the autumn, with the 1000 Guineas her spring target, but at around 8/1 with 10 months to run she makes little appeal as a bet.
She does, though, have strong claims and she will be hard to beat in her forthcoming races this season. It is most unusual to have a horse with her pedigree prove capable of beating the best of her contemporaries over five furlongs.
Looking at this weekend, we have a thrilling running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, with representatives from Ireland, France and Japan taking on the home team.
I’ll be back next week with more reflections.
Bye for now
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