Road to the top: four stars who shone in the Solario Stakes this century

The runners in Saturday's Group 3 Betway Solario Stakes at Sandown have plenty to live up to, with a recent roll of honour that includes future Classic winners, a champion juvenile and even a Breeders' Cup hero. Here are four past winners who went on to greatness

Raven's Pass

Raven's Pass was unbeaten from two starts heading into the 2007 Solario but this was the day he first revealed his star quality.

He simply annihilated his rivals, storming clear in the final furlong to win by seven lengths, smashing the juvenile track record by 1.3 seconds and getting within 0.2 seconds of the overall record at the time.

Even more impressive was the fact Jimmy Fortune had to be patient in finding cover from his wide stall, but he could have been drawn in the car park and would still have won.

Raven's Pass was beaten on his next six starts, but the final three runs of his career were all victories, culminating in success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes before his crowning moment in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Kingman: one of the best milers of the past decadeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Kingman

Another John Gosden-trained champion, Kingman came into the 2013 Solario following an impressive debut success at Newmarket and he did not let favourite backers down with a two-length victory under James Doyle.

He looked value for at least double the winning margin and the impression he created was justified as he went on to to be crowned champion miler the following season.

His sole defeat in eight career starts came in the 2,000 Guineas but he then rattled off four consecutive Group 1 wins at three before going on to superstar status as a stallion.

Masar: graduated from the Solario to land the DerbyCredit: Mark Cranham

Masar

At the time, Masar's victory in the 2017 Solario did not leave anything like the impression of Kingman or Raven's Pass but we were watching a future Derby winner as he stayed on strongly to defeat Romanised by two lengths.

It wasn't spectacular but he showed a good, professional attitude and it provided the perfect launchpad for a three-year-old career that included a nine-length rout in the Craven before he became the first to carry Godolphin's blue silks to victory in the most famous Flat race in the world.

Injury curtailed the remainder of his Classic season and he was recently retired after failing to rediscover his best on two runs at four.

Too Darn Hot: by far the best juvenile of his generationCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Too Darn Hot

More in the mould of Kingman than Masar, Too Darn Hot showed a glimpse of his brilliance in the 2018 Solario when he put four lengths between himself and Royal Ascot winner Arthur Kitt under Frankie Dettori.

With an exceptional pedigree, Too Darn Hot added two further wins at two, including the Group 1 Dewhurst to be crowned champion juvenile.

He had to wait to scale the same heights this year but rediscovered the magic with a pair of top-level wins, including in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood where he won despite suffering a career-ending injury in the process.

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