Wexford native PJ McDonald achieved a notable milestone as he notched up the 1,000th winner of his career with victory aboard Zabeel Champion at Newmarket.
The 38-year-old secured the landmark verdict as the Mark Johnston-trained son of Poet's Voice followed up his victory at the Rowley Mile last month in the bet365 Handicap.
While starting his career over jumps where he rode 37 winners, including the 2007 Scottish Grand National on Hot Weld, it is on the Flat where McDonald has really made his name.
Since swapping codes more than a decade ago, the Yorkshire-based rider has enjoyed plenty of Group race glory and while his latest triumph is not his most high-profile success, it certainly means as much.
McDonald said: "There's a lot of lads riding more winners than me and there's people that have got to it (1,000-winner mark) a lot quicker than me, but it's great to get there.
"From a personal point of view, my career has only really taken off properly in the last five or six years.
"It was hard graft at small tracks with not so many good horses in the early part, but it helped me keep my feet on the ground and helped me appreciate all the good that's happened in the last few years."
Every jockey needs a good horse to put them on the map and McDonald will be forever thankful to the now-retired Laurens for helping his career really take off.
Although he enjoyed four Group One victories aboard the former Karl Burke-trained mare, there is one he believes stands head and shoulders above them all.
He said: "Winning a Classic on Laurens (French Oaks) was right up there, as it was planned. You plan a lot in this game, but it doesn't come off very often, so for Laurens to go and win was a great achievement."
Hot favourite Terebellum could finish only third as her stablemate Nazeef prevailed in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.
Having gone down narrowly to Circus Maximus in a pulsating renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, the John Gosden-trained Terebellum was all the rage to bounce back to winning ways and set out to make all the running under Frankie Dettori.
Nazeef had won each of her five starts since finishing third on her July Course debut in June of last year, including a Royal meeting victory in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes. She was a 9-2 shot in the hands of Jim Crowley.
Terebellum still held sway entering the final furlong, but was reeled in by both Nazeef and Billesdon Brook (14-1) in the closing stages, with the former emerging triumphant by a neck.
Billesdon Brook - winner of the 1000 Guineas in 2018 - ran her best race of the season so far in second, with Terebellum having to make do with minor honours again in a close-up third.
Nazeef lands her first Group 1 success in a terrific @Tattersalls1766 Falmouth Stakes under @JimCrowley1978 for @JohnGosden1 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/hp9HhcidVr
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) July 10, 2020
Crowley said: "The only pace in the race really was Frankie's filly. She'd won over 10 furlongs and all the others looked like they were going to take a lead. I had a great position in a small field and managed to get a bit of cover.
"She's as tough as nails and she's improved with every run. That's six races in a row she's won now - she's climbed her way up the ladder. She's a really gorgeous looking filly as well, with plenty of size and scope about her.
"She is so versatile and would probably stay a bit further. I actually thought at Ascot she needed every yard of the mile to win and you could argue it was the same today.
"I'm not sure what the plan is, that's up to connections. If they wanted to stick at a mile with her they could, or if they wanted to step up to 10 furlongs, I think she'd be competitive in a Nassau Stakes or something.
"Wherever she goes, it's just a pleasure to ride her."
Dandalla (Evs Fav) maintained her unbeaten record with a narrow victory in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.
An impressive winner on her racecourse debut at Newcastle in early June, Karl Burke's filly successfully graduated to Group Three company with a brilliant display in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The daughter of Dandy Man was well-supported for her latest assignment at Group Two level - and while it was hard work in the testing conditions, she displayed courage to go with her class to complete her hat-trick.
Ridden by Ben Curtis, Dandalla raced in midfield for much of the way before throwing down her challenge racing inside the last of six furlongs.
Fev Rover - like the winner carrying the colours of Nick Bradley Racing - emerged as the biggest threat as the post loomed, but the market leader held on by a head.
Dandalla justifies favouritism and remains unbeaten in the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (Sponsored By @bet365) under @_benacurtis for @karl_burke 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EjOqoroscl
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) July 10, 2020
Curtis said: "I thought after Ascot she'd be better on better ground, but we've come here and the ground is definitely more holding and she hasn't travelled with the same fluency. She showed that she has guts and determination today, mixed with class and a great attitude.
"I don't think the ground is for her and I was trying not to give her a hard race in the last furlong - I just kept her going with hands and heels as she had her head down to the floor and I was confident we were doing enough.
"I don't think she'll have any problem going further in time, but six furlongs seems ideal at the moment - I think we'd be happy enough to leave her there for the time being.
"It's great for the owners - there are a couple here today with Nick Bradley. They're obviously over the moon, getting the one-two, and it's great to have owners back on course."
