Marten Julian’s Weekly Roundup 3 August 2026

There was much to take away from last week’s Glorious Goodwood meeting, but I want to start with a horse who is highly unlikely to arouse the interest of the post-race analysts.

Avalon Queen is a two-year-old daughter of Derby winner Masar trained by Roger Teal. She is the fourth foal of Morgan Le Faye, who won four races, including a Group 2 over an extended ten furlongs, but was also placed in numerous Group races including the Prix du Cadran over 2m 4f.

Morgan Le Faye is out of Molly Malone, who won the Cadran, from the family of Monsun, a profound influence for stamina.

In the light of this pedigree what right, you may ask, does this filly have to show such ability over six furlongs?

She caught the eye with good late work into fourth on her debut in the 6f maiden at Newbury in June that was won by Richard Hannon’s very useful Aperoll, a filly who carried the support of the trainer in that race and who has subsequently run third in the Chesham Stakes before winning a Listed race at Sandown.

Avalon Queen returned to Newbury a month later for a 6f novice contest, where she was drawn nearest the stands in stall 14 of 14. Slowly into her stride, she was behind early on before veering sharply right for a run approaching the final furlong. Despite her rider losing an iron, she finished to considerable effect to take third, never nearer than at the line.

Her next appearance came in the 7f fillies’ maiden contest at Goodwood on Thursday. She was steady in the market, at 4/1 from 11/2 and bigger overnight, up against rivals from better known yards, among them Aidan O’Brien’s, who trained the 4/7 favourite So Lovely, who had finished second in a Leopardstown maiden a fortnight earlier.

Up there from the outset, she produced a race-winning change of gear to pull two lengths clear entering the final furlong, enabling her to hold the late challenge of So Lovely by a head.

Afterwards her trainer said she would probably have just one more race and then be put away until next season.

Roger Teal may not be up in the lights as a trainer, but he has shown in his handling of July Cup winner Oxted, 2000 Guineas runner-up Tip Two Win and more recently Dancing Gemini, that he is not in awe of the top table and will not be rushed into over-facing this top-class prospect.

The key to Avalon Queen’s profile is her pedigree. As I have mentioned before, I am always on the lookout for horses endowed with stamina who display ability over a trip far short of the requirements of their pedigree.

I expect the trainer to aim her at one of the Guineas next year, but I am confident from her breeding that she will stay a mile and a half.

Obviously things can go amiss in the interim, but Dancing Gemini and Tip Two Win represented the trainer with great credit at the highest level, and Avalon Queen has stronger credentials at this stage of her career than either of them.

A lot has been written, with great justification, about the success of Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes.

Billy Loughnane displayed a maturity beyond his years to extricate himself from a pocket two furlongs from home.

Whatever the truth is about the tactics adopted by Coolmore in the St James’s Palace Stakes, last week there is no doubt that Christophe Soumillon deliberately switched Puerto Rico to his right soon after the turn for home, just behind Gstaad and thus leaving Bow Echo boxed in.

Billy Loughnane initially tried to move to his right, but soon realising that he would not get a clear run, switched left to track Gstaad.

It was then that Bow Echo displayed an attribute that is rarely seen, even at the top level.

He quickened twice.

The first occasion was when he was still out of his ground, with just four rivals behind him entering the final furlong, and the second was when he was third, about three lengths behind Opera Ballo and Gstaad, well inside the final furlong.

Returning to the question of Coolmore’s tactics, it is significant that they employ a French-based jockey to act as the spoiler. No UK-based jockey would agree to ride in such a manner against a professional colleague. The repercussions could go on forever if they did.

Staying with Coolmore, you may recall my lauding of the talent of Diamond Necklace a few weeks ago. Following her comfortable dismissal of Friendly Soul in the Nassau Stakes there was much discussion about her autumn programme.

Although Coolmore like their top-class stud prospects to have shown up at the highest level over ten furlongs, it would be a great shame if Diamond Necklace did not get the opportunity to prove herself over a mile and a half.

Her distaff side is dominated by middle-distance blood … she is a half-sister to eight winners including Irish Oaks winner Chicquita, Group 2 mile and a half winner Magic Wand and Enemy, a winner over two miles.

Michael Tabor said he would prefer to win the Arc with a colt, so Constitution River may be the favoured one for Paris, but there may be options for her over the trip at the Breeders’ Cup.

Bye for now

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