Cercene Wins Coronation Stakes – Joseph Murphy | Royal Ascot
- Joseph Murphy, a trainer for nearly 50 years, achieved a significant milestone at Royal Ascot as Cercene, a 33-1 longshot, won the Coronation stakes.This victory marked Murphy's first...
- The Coronation Stakes, a highlight of royal Ascot, saw Cercene dig deep to secure the win.
- Cercene's victory was particularly rewarding for murphy, who has dedicated his life to horse racing.
Cercene,trained by Joseph Murphy,shocked the racing world by seizing victory in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot,a monumental achievement for the seasoned trainer. This stunning win, a testament to Murphy’s unwavering dedication over nearly 50 years, marks his first Group One triumph. Jockey Gary Carroll masterfully guided Cercene to edge out the favorite,Zarigana,in a thrilling finish,defying odds of 33-1. the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot was the backdrop for a historic day. Learn more about this remarkable race and journey on News Directory 3. Discover what’s next for Cercene and the implications for future Group One events.
cercene claims major Coronation stakes shock at Royal Ascot
Updated June 20, 2025
Joseph Murphy, a trainer for nearly 50 years, achieved a significant milestone at Royal Ascot as Cercene, a 33-1 longshot, won the Coronation stakes.This victory marked Murphy’s first Group One win, a culmination of decades of dedication.
The Coronation Stakes, a highlight of royal Ascot, saw Cercene dig deep to secure the win. Zarigana, the 6-4 favorite, led at the furlong pole but couldn’t maintain the lead. Cercene, ridden by jockey Gary Carroll, displayed determination, edging ahead by half a length.
Cercene’s victory was particularly rewarding for murphy, who has dedicated his life to horse racing. The win reflects years of hard work and a steadfast belief in his horses’ potential. Despite starting from a small yard and transitioning from National Hunt to flat racing, Murphy’s ambition never wavered.
Prior to this race, Cercene had finished third in the Irish 1,000 guineas, trailing Lake Victoria by four lengths. During the Coronation Stakes, Cercene settled in fourth as Falakeyah set the pace. as Falakeyah faded, Carroll positioned Cercene perfectly to strike.
“It’s 50 years of work by the family,” Murphy said. “Going from a small yard, switching from national Hunt to the Flat and always believing, buying horses and believing that they’re going to be good. It’s a lifetime’s ambition to have a group One winner.”
What’s next
Following the race, Zarigana’s trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, mentioned the possibility of using blinkers in the future. The royal Ascot win positions Cercene as a promising contender in future Group One events.