Trainer Ron Quinton added another Coolmore Classic trophy to his mantelpiece on Saturday thanks to Dixie Blossoms.
The six-year-old mare earned Quinton his sixth win in the Coolmore – two as a jockey and now four as a trainer. The win also marked Dixie Blossoms’ first ever Group 1 victory having come up short in six previous attempts.
After six failed attempts, Dixie Blossoms finally claimed a Group 1 win during Saturday’s $600,000 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill. Photo Credit: Steve Hart.
“I think it’s one of my proudest days on a racecourse to win that Group 1 with Dixie. It’s just unbelievable. She’s been knocking on the door for a couple of years” Quinton said following the win.
“She’s a doll. One of the kindest horses you could deal with. A wonderful mare. The heavy track maybe leveled them up and she does handle it. You could let her out on the street and she would find her way home. I’ve just been dying for Dixie to win that Group 1.”
It all unfolded down the straight as a wall of horses rounded the bend. Eldorado Dreaming led part of the way, but it was the explosive turn of foot from Dixie Blossoms that caught the eye as jockey Christian Reith steered home the win.
“She just gave me a great feel today. I was never going to get beaten I just had to pick the right holes and things unfolded for me and we were able to get there” Reith said.
Dixie Blossoms finished second first-up earlier this month in the Group Guy Walter Stakes (1400m), an encouraging sign ahead of Saturday’s start in the Coolmore. The Street Sense mare went around at $21.00 with Ladbrokes, well and truly over the odds considering Dixie Blossoms had won on the heavy before.
Dixie Blossoms finished sixth in the Coolmore lsat year, losing by no more than a length to fellow stablemate Daysee Doom. The win also marked Reith’s third ever Group 1 win.
