Blond Me wins Longines International Topkapi Trophy

Ridden by Oisin Murphy, his filly profited from a wayward Silent Attack inside the final furlong to win the Group Two race and take the prize of £198,500.

Since 2008 only South African trainer Mike de Kock has broken the British stranglehold on the race, and Blond Me made the most of a weak race for the grade run over a distance of one mile for three-year-olds and upwards.

It looked like Saeed Bin Suroor was going to bag another prize at the track’s international meeting, but the Godolphin-owned favourite, Silent Attack, ridden by Mickaël Barzalona, threw away his chance when jinking right with the race at his mercy.

Instead Blond Me, a four-year-old owned by Barbara Keller and the only filly in the six-runner field, got her head in front only in the final strides to win by a head, with Dayim Benim taking third the same distance back.

The win Murphy a first win on Turkish soil, and he was pleased with Blond Me’s display.
“It was a tough performance and she took advantage of the Godolphin horse swerving in front of her.”

Keller, was equally delighted, saying: “I love when a plan comes together.

“I want to win the Canadian International, but the quarantine regulations rules her out of running this year.

“The plan is to go there next year.”