‘She’s Not Very Big, But She’s Very Tough’: Carroll Heaps Praise on Cercene After Coronation Shock

[Wandering Eyes]

Last seen running third behind the absent Lake Victoria in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, Shane Stafford's €50,000 Tattersalls Ireland yearling Cercene (Australia) stepped forward in ultra-game fashion to become the longest-priced winner of Royal Ascot's G1 Coronation Stakes.

The 33-1 outsider went forward to track the leaders in fourth after the opening exchanges, as TDN Rising Star Falakeyah (New Bay) raced too freely on the front end, and inched closer once into the home straight. Gaining an edge approaching the furlong pole, she was immediately tackled and headed by 6-4 favourite Zarigana (Siyouni), but found plenty under a drive and rallied bravely in the dying embers to eke out a career high, by a half-length, from that rival. Ballydoyle's January (Kingman) was initially stationed in rear and kept on strongly in the straight to finish one length adrift in third. “She's not big, but she's very tough,” commented winning jockey Gary Carroll.

Pedigree Notes
Cercene, who becomes the seventh Group 1 scorer for her sire and the second this season following the exploits of Lambourn in the G1 Derby, is the fourth of five foals and one of two scorers produced by a winning daughter of Listed Firth Of Clyde Stakes runner-up Tschierschen (Acclamation). The February-foaled chestnut is a half-sister to G3 Sovereign Stakes third Perotto (New Bay) and a 2-year-old filly by Starman. Roo is the dam of five black-type performers, headed by G1 Prix Morny runner-up Gallagher (Bahamian Bounty), and her descendants include G1 Sussex Stakes-winning sire Mohaather (Showcasing), G1 Queen Anne Stakes hero Accidental Agent (Delegator) and multiple Grade II winner Prize Exhibit (Showcasing). Roo is kin to G2 Gimcrack Stakes victor Bannister (Inchinor) and the dam of G1 Middle Park winner Astaire (Intense Focus) out of a half-sister to G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Dead Certain (Absalom).

 

33/1! CERCENE WINS THE CORONATION STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/cba83YNxWV

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 20, 2025

The post ‘She’s Not Very Big, But She’s Very Tough’: Carroll Heaps Praise on Cercene After Coronation Shock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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