Jancis Has Her Day In The Dahlia

Granted the ideal scenario of fast ground and a fast pace to aim at, Arturo Cousino's Jancis (Tamayuz) finally had her big day in Sunday's G2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket.

Held up off the strong tempo set by Shadwell's free-going Falakeyah (New Bay), the Willie McCreery-trained five-year-old was able to deliver an even surge under Sean Levey to take command inside the final furlong and stretch to a 1 3/4-length verdict over Cathedral (Too Darn Hot) in a fast time. There was an 8 1/2-length gap back to the Group 1 filly Survie (Churchill) in third.

“You can't get quick enough ground for her,” McCreery said of the lightly-raced homebred, whose finest hour to date had come when winning the 2024 G3 Brownstown Stakes. “She loved it and won well–Sean said she did everything right. She danced all the dances last year and was a bit unlucky at times, but she needs quick ground and for them to go quick up front.”

Jancis, who managed two Listed placings in Ireland last term and was beaten under a length when fourth in the G3 Valiant Stakes at Ascot, is bound for the Royal meeting back there next month. “We'll go to Royal Ascot,” McCreery added. “Arturo has a farm in Chile and will be over for it. He is a longstanding owner and those colours have been in his family for over 90 years.”

“This mare was in utero on the plane in Amsterdam to go to America and then on to Chile, but her dam was uncomfortable on the plane and came back to Ireland–sadly she died two weeks after having this foal. Arturo boards his horses at Ballylinch Stud and I also train for Ballylinch Stud, so that is how the connection came about. Arturo has a vineyard and every time Jancis wins we get a case–so we try to win as much as we can as it's beautiful wine! She is named after the wine critic Jancis Robinson.”

18/1 winner of the Betfred Dahlia Stakes!

Jancis, the sole Irish runner, make a triumphant return aged five to land Group 2 honours under @LeveySean for Willie McCreery @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/3Y9VpQmtsW

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 3, 2026

Pedigree Notes
Jancis's aforementioned dam Blame The Ruler (Ruler Of The World) was a half to the dual Australian Listed winner Acquitted (Night Of Thunder) and granddaughter of the G1 Chilean Derby-winning champion Crystal House (Golden Voyager), whose son Desert Fire (Cape Cross) captured the G2 Al Rashidiya. The fourth dam is the Chilean champion Cristalline (Northair), whose other daughter of Golden Voyager, Crystal Clear, was also a champion in that country.