Alphonse Le Grande became only the second horse in history to win the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch twice when he came with a late roar to spoil a big game in the Sea Lantern at Newmarket.
The Tony Martin-trained seven-year-old held on with under-5kg claim Patrick McGettigan to beat 4-1 favorite Sea Lantern, who had hit the front with less than a length to run, with the winner marking the historic handicap by a short head. The well-backed Dawn Rising, runner-up 12 months ago, was third, with High Fiber fourth.
The victory repeated Alphonse Le Grande’s victory in 2024, seeing him emulate Aaim To Prosper who won the race in 2010 and 2012.
Martin – who was serving a three-month suspension which meant Cathy O’Leary had his license when Alphonse Le Grande hit two years ago – said: “I couldn’t believe it, I thought we had blown our chances running two weeks ago at the Curragh. But he’s such a strong little horse that he’s got the bag out and he better find it on the ground.
“I didn’t know we’d got him but I’m delighted he got the right result in the photo – I just need to make sure the rider weighs in!
“He’s never ridden for me before but he came out and sat on him during the week and I liked the positivity. He did exactly what we asked him to do when we had a good chat with him during the week.
“He rode last year and for someone his age he really shone there today. I was hoping it would happen but you can never be sure a £5 claimer is going to be able to do it and he was brilliant.
“I knew they were starting to race early and I wondered if he had overdone it a little bit, but we were chasing the right man coming back and he was a long way from Ryan Moore and it was great for a young guy to have the patience to do what he did.”
He added: “I thought the ground was gone two years ago when he won and maybe I shouldn’t have run him at the Curragh last time. But he’s such a strong, consistent horse and he’s come back. Luckily the weather held, he hit his ground today and we got a great result.
“He’s only seven years old and if he comes home safe and sound we can have a lot of fun with him again next year.”
For Brian Ellison it was a bittersweet result as Sea Lantern returned defeated but with his handler Malton dreaming of bigger days ahead.
He said: “He’s had an unbelievable race and he’s had a crash that I’m not sure if it’s cost him. He’s been running great.
“He’s a very good horse and I think he can definitely be a group horse. He’s so calm, we’re sorry we lost but we’re very pleased he ran so well.”