Poignant win for Zap and trainer Fahey

The emotional win came just hours after the Malton trainer’s former apprentice Laura Barry lost her battle with cancer, aged 25. She was due to marry stable jockey Tony Hamilton’s brother, Ben, today.

A disconsolate Fahey said: “She was a wonderful girl and will be truly missed. She was loved by everyone.

“She was a very tough girl, but had been suffering for a long time. She was just such a star and never complained.

“She came over as an apprentice from Ireland. She was a very helpful and very kind person.”

A field of just seven runners went to post, with Zap one of two runners for Fahey and owner Peter Timmins, along with Gallipoli.

The latter disputed the lead for much of the seven-furlong journey along with Saluti and Maksab, with Zap and PJ McDonald seemingly struggle to keep up at the rear of the field.

However, the complexion of the race changed late on as the pacesetters faltered, and while joint-favourite Swift Approval battled his way to the lead in the final furlong, it was Zap who came home best of all to prevail by a head.

Later Alpha Centauri continued her fantastic season with a dominant display in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.

Having proved her victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas was no fluke with a scintillating display in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, Jessica Harrington’s star filly made it a Group One hat-trick with this classy win.

Harrington said: “She’s absolutely unbelievable. She is amazing. For the size of her, she loves that ground. I’m very lucky to train her.”