A pall of stunned silence descended over Kenilworth on Saturday as rank outsider Martial Eagle stormed home to win the R2,5 million Gr1 JB Met in front of a festive crowd in blustery conditions.
Ignored by the experts, the son of Silvano started at 80-1 and appropriately rose to the ‘Made To Fly’ theme of the momentous day to give leading owner Sabine Plattner a second winner in the prestigious race.
Jockey Aldo Domeyer, bubbling with his characteristic confidence, rode a cool race from the 15 draw on the seven-year-old gelding.
Plattner Racing won the Met in 2003 with Angus, and there was also a touch of irony at play as Brett Crawford, who trained Angus, sent out the beaten favourite Jackson, who ran a disappointing fifth today. – sportingpost
