York Ebor: Ortensia edges Spirit Quartz in Nunthorpe Stakes

Australian raider Ortensia won the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes on day three of the Ebor Festival at York.

The 7-2 joint favourite, ridden by William Buick, edged a thrilling finish ahead of Spirit Quartz.

Ortensia burst through on the rail in the final furlong to take the race. One-time leader Hamish McGonagall, runner-up last year, coming third.

Nunthorpe Stakes Result

  • Ortensia 7-2
  • Spirit Quartz 14-1
  • Hamish McGonagall 14-1

"That was fabulous," said trainer Paul Messara. "Winning a big one like this over here was huge for us."

Ortensia became the first Australian horse to win the Nunthorpe Stakes. She had previously won the King George Stakes at Goodwood.

Jockey Buick revealed she overcame an early problem to emerge from seven lengths down and win the race.

"(Jockey) Eddie Hearn couldn't get the blindfold off (his horse) and it hit him in the chest and that spooked him," Buick said.

"But you could see at the end of the race that she has so much speed."

Frankie Dettori's horse Spirit Quartz was 14-1, the same price as Hamish McGonagall.