Blandford Bloodstock

Classic glory thanks to Arctic Cosmos

ARCTIC Cosmos became the first Blandford Bloodstock purchase to win an English Classic with a marvellous triumph in the St Leger at Doncaster on September 11.

The North Light colt was bought by the Newmarket agency for 47,000 guineas at Book 2 of the 2008 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

He was sent into training with John Gosden at Clarehaven Stables on the Bury Road and is owned in partnership by the trainer’s wife Rachel Hood and businessman Robin Geffen.

Arctic Cosmos has proved a tough and progressive colt since finishing fourth on his debut in a Kempton maiden 11 months ago.

Since then the bay, out of the Marquetry mare Fifth Avenue, has had seven starts and won three times – the latest success coming in the oldest Classic of them all.

Corsica ensured there was a proper pace on from the outset with Arctic Cosmos, sporting first-time blinkers, never far away.

Jockey William Buick ensured that he preserved sufficient energy for the climax of the 1m 6f race, delivering his challenge well down the long Town Moor straight.

He took over at the front from Corsica approaching the furlong-marker and then stayed on strongest of all to raise the roof at Doncaster.

It was as classy a staying performance as you could wish to see and gave all connected with the horse moments to savour and celebrate.

Artic Cosmos may drop back in trip next with Gosden indicating that the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs on November 6 may be next on the agenda.