Champions day in the mix for Starman filly Soul Love after G3 score

David Ward's wonderful homebred Starman filly Soul Love captured her third stakes win of the year on Sunday when making all in the Group 3 Renaissance Stakes at the Curragh.

Trained by Karl Burke and partnered by Pierre-Louis Jamin, Soul Love came into the race having previously won in Listed company at Goodwood and Naas. She was made a 5-2 joint-favourite to break through at Group level on Sunday and duly obliged, fending off the seasoned veteran Big Gossey for a cosy score.

Karl Burke said: “I'm delighted with that. We didn't know if she'd handle the ground so heavy but we were here and we had what we thought was a good draw up the stands' rail, which I think you need here on the soft ground, so we decided to take our chance.

“Pierre is very good from the front. She jumped quick and got into a nice rhythm. I was a bit surprised the Amo horse [Power Bloue] didn't take us on a bit more, I thought that might try and spoil it for us. We were very comfortable from a long way out.

“I believe Soul Love has a date at the December mares' sale in Newmarket, but it might be a bit of a no brainer now to throw her hat into the ring for Champions Day at Ascot.

“We'd have no qualms now if it came up soft and it's a discussion to be had. The prize-money she's won today would help with the supplementary fee, so we'll see.”

Soul Love was bred by David Ward out of the Listed-placed Lambeth Walk, a relation to Mohaather who is also dam of the Group-placed Excellent Believe.

She is one of eight stakes winners from the first crop of Starman.