Jockey Gary Carroll will not be able to ride surprise Coronation Stakes winner Cercene if connections go ahead with plans to supplement her for the Irish Oaks
A Royal Ascot-winning jockey is set to miss a huge next date with surprise Coronation Stakes winner Cercene. Gary Carroll registered his first success at Group 1 level when Cercene pulled off a 33-1 shock in the royal meeting’s top level 1m race for three-year-old fillies by defeating hot favourite Zarigana.
The victory also fulfilled a lifetime goal for the Co Tipperary trainer Joseph G Murphy who had never saddled a Group 1 winner during 50 years with a licence.
Carroll said on the day: “This is unbelievable. I have been riding a long time now and been placed in plenty of Group One races. This is my first one and, if I was ever to ride a Group One winner, I wanted it to be for Joe Murphy.
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“I have been riding for him since I was a 7lb claimer and he has been very good to me. I am delighted I can repay him.
“Cercene ran a blinder at the Curragh, where the slow pace didn’t suit. We went a bit better gallop there today. She got to the front a furlong and a half out and she waited. Then the French horse came and headed me. To be fair to this one, she is not big, but she is very tough and stuck her head out for me.
“This is hugely satisfying. Group One races are so hard to come by, and good horses are very hard to come by. To do this at Royal Ascot is magic.”
Since Cercene’s victory Murphy has outlined an ambitious programme for the filly, including supplementing her for the £426,000 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh. The Breeders’ Cup could also feature on her programme at the end of the year.
However, unless he mounts a successful appeal, Carroll would have to sit out the Irish Oaks on July 19 after picking up a whip ban.
He was referred to the BHA’s Whip Review Committee after the Coronation Stakes and that panel issued Carroll with a ban and fine.
The Committee’s report said: “Gary Carroll, the rider of the winner Cercene (IRE), was found to have used his whip twice above the permitted level of six from approximately two furlongs out.
“Taking into account that this was a Class 1 race, the penalty in respect of the above permitted level was doubled. Therefore, he will be suspended for 14 days from Tuesday 08 – Monday 21 July 2025, inclusive and fined £5,800.”
