Kerrin McEvoy was not at Royal Ascot on Saturday having made the trip to Newmarket to partner Godolphin's Saqqara King in a 7-furlong Novice where he claimed bragging rights as the first winner in Britain and the second in Europe for Coolmore's Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (USA).
The first winner for American Pharoah (image Mark Smith ) in Europe came when the Aidan O'Brien-trained Monarch of Egypt made a fine impression on debut in Ireland back in April.
Sent off an odds on favourite following a close up fourth when making his debut at Doncaster on June 1, Saqqara King kept up a strong gallop to fend off the challenge of the Exceed And Excel colt Mass Media by half a length.
Racing Post commented: 'Slowly into stride, soon prominent, lost place over 5f out, switched left halfway, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on'.
A $200,000 purchase by Godolphin at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Saqqara King is out of the top-class Tapit mare Joyful Victory who won or placed in a total of 14 stakes, headed by wins in the 2013 Gr-1 Santa Margarita and 2011 Gr-II Fantasy Stakes while banking $1,252,679 for owner Rick Porter and trainer Larry Jones.
Just an aside. The following race at Newmarket was won by the Sea The Stars filly Victoria Drummond who was bred by Renata Coleman who raced her dam Rezyana a daughter of Redoute's Choice who was runner-up in the 2009 Group III Rough Habit Plate when trained by Paul Messara.
