The William Haggas stable was on fire in Europe overnight, capturing three Group races, two of which were by Australian-bred stallions.
After winning the two features at Deauville with Cloudy Dawn and the 3yo Pride Of Dubai gelding Dubai Honour, Haggas sent out the Cheveley Park homebred Sacred to win the Group II Hungerford Stakes (7f) at Newbury.
The 3yo daughter of Exceed And Excel won the Group III Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket in April but was running for the first time since finishing seventh in the group 1 1000 Guineas won by Mother Earth.
With Tom Marquand in the saddle, Sacred emerged from the pack at the 200m to defeat the Cable Bay (IRE) colt Laneqash by a length with the Roderic O'Connor (IRE) gelding Njord a length and a half away in third.
It was a well-deserved Group II for Sacred, who has been runner-up at that level three times previously in the York Lowther Stakes, Doncaster Flying Childers Stakes, and Royal Ascot Queen Mary Stakes.
"When Ryan (Moore) won the Nell Gwyn on her, he said it was liking riding a motorbike," Haggas' wife, Maureen, told Sporting life.
"We've timed her with the latest equipment at home, and some of her figures are unbelievable.
"She's in the City of York, but that is very quick and could undo all the good that's happened for her break.
"Then there's the Foret, but she would only go if it stayed dry.
"She grew two inches through the winter, and I hope that after her light season the owners might keep her in training at four."
Tom Marquand added, "It feels there's been a lot in between her last run in the Guineas and they said she was top class.
"To jump into the race like that was very impressive. She is a very good horse."
Sacred is the first foal of the Blame (USA) mare Sacre Caroline (USA), a half-sister to the Champion Filly Lady Eli whose ten wins included five at the highest level in the Belmont Oaks, Belmont Flower Bowl Stakes, Saratoga Diana Stakes, Santa Anita Gamely Stakes, and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Exceed And Excel lines up for his 18th season at Darley Stud this spring. The sire of 186 stakes-winners, the son of Danehill, stands at a fee of $132,000 in 2021.
