Pinatubo rules the roost at Darley Dewhurst Stakes

Phenomenal young two-year-old Pinatubo finished his juvenile campaign with a real solid Darley Dewhurst Stakes success.

Unbeaten in all six of his races, Pinatubo is most likely to score in the 2020 Qipco Guineas. He demolished rivals by nine-lengths at the Curragh, but toned it down to two lengths on Saturday.

Pinatubo is the name of an active volcano, which he only replicates when need be. Seeing him walking round the parade ring, punters would be misinformed by appearance.

EXPLODES

An air of casualness is predominant. William Buick, says he only explodes when the stalls open, but regards him as the complete racehorse.

Traveling behind the leaders, Pinatubo suddenly emerged to oust Arizona and Wichita, then asserted at 1-3 on.

Some hard-core gamblers were so confident, they bought big money with no tension. Pinatubo pulled away, signalling that he may be the next Enable.

This concluded a sensational week for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin. In fact, the Sheikh was so happy, he gave a customary little dance display on the rostrum.

Shamardal off-springs have all proven to be great sprinters. Arizona's trainer, Aiden O'Brien shook hands with Charlie Appleby, but was not displeased with second and third placings.

***

A day after Jason Watson landed the Fillies' Mile riding Quadrilateral, he sprang a neat surprise on Stratum at 25-1 in the Emirates Cesarewitch Stakes.

Party Playboy thought he might win, but Stratum changed that idea. All others, more favoured, were backpedalling after the Dip.

This Future Champions Festival was such a hit, becoming more so when a life-size bronze statue of legendary jockey, Sir Lester Keith Piggott, was unveiled at Newmarket next to the Rowley Mile - one of nine effigies to commemorate his record nine Derby winners.

DIAMONDS

The ceremony actually coincided with Pinatubo's Dewhurst Stakes, a race Sir Lester won a crazy ten times.

Remember Crepello in 1956? He started the chain. Guess who was alongside the greatest octogenarian ever? None other than our Frankie Dettori.

Both are astonishingly different characters, but pure diamonds charismatically.

The nine statues were commissioned by David and Christopher St George, for whose family Sir Lester rode the absolute best, including dual Gold Cup striker, Ardross. The Queen unveiled another statue of Sir Lester at the Investec Epsom Derby in June.

To help understand the essence of a man who won his first race as a boy of twelve on The Chase at Haydock Park, by retirement in 1985, he had scooped a massive 4,493 wins.

Sir Lester now lives with his wife Susan in Switzerland but is thoroughly engaged in racing, able to predict Classic prospects easily.

Only Sir Gordon Richards is ahead on points, with 4,870 crops, and champion for a massive 26 seasons.