First Listed success has Living Legend owners jumping for joy

Saturday: Kempton

Owners Barbara and Alick Richmond had a spring in their step after Living Legend lived up to his name to provide the couple with a first success at Listed level in the Unibet-backed Magnolia Stakes.

Based in Hampshire, the Richmond's have gone close on a number of occasions in Pattern company and there was a sense of relief, as well as great excitement, as Living Legend fought off his rivals under Joe Fanning.

"We've had Listed and Group places before, but never had a Listed win so we're thrilled to pieces," said Barbara Richmond. "It couldn't be a better horse because we've owned him since he was a yearling and he never gives up.

"He's a real gentleman and hates others passing him, so what more could you ask for from a racehorse?"

A one-time Classic hopeful, Living Legend had more than two years off the track through injury but the six-year-old now looks ready to make up for lost time.

"He ran in the Dee Stakes as a three-year-old but had an injury after that, so he's had quite a bit of time off," said Richmond. "We weren't sure whether he'd come back, but he did and he just loves his racing.

"He's enjoying himself and whether he'd won or not today he needed the run. We're looking forward to a great rest of the season back on turf."

Good to be back

Tom Queally was delighted to be back in action after more than four months on the sidelines through injury, although there was no winning comeback as 40-1 shot Hiroshima faded to finish last in the Unibet Queen's Prize.

The Classic-winning rider fractured a vertebra in a paddock fall at Kempton on November 12 and although no surgery was required, he had to miss the entirety of the winter.

"I've been able to do plenty of riding out and I'm happiest when I'm around the horses so it's nice to be back," said Queally. "I've been busy going into Andrew Balding's yard and Alan King's, and I've been doing the rounds in Newmarket. We'll see how it goes, but hopefully we'll have a busy year."

Queen's Prize victory went to Goodolphin's Bandinelli, who made it two wins from three runs at Kempton under Jack Mitchell.

Newcastle next for Ejtilaab

Ejtilaab, who has been running well in Dubai this winter, booked his spot in the Sprint Championships on All-Weather Finals Day at Newcastle on April 15 with victory on his return to Britain in the 6f handicap.

There was, however, a sad postscript to the race when The Last Lion, winner of the Brocklesby Stakes in 2016, suffered a fatal injury.

Results, replays and analysis

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