Kind Of Blue gains Conditions Stakes victory at Kempton

Kind Of Blue won the ebfstallions.com Conditions Stakes (GBB Race) at Kempton on Wednesday night, taking the six-furlong contest for trainer James Fanshawe and jockey James Doyle.

The five-year-old was prominent through the early stages before taking the lead over a furlong out. He ran on inside the final furlong to beat Mitbaahy by three quarters of a length, justifying odds-on favouritism.

Despite being a Group 1 winner in the past, Kind Of Blue had only won three of his 15 career starts. His consistency has been an asset, but often for place purposes rather than winning.

Nevertheless, the son of Blue Point was the class act arriving at Kempton on Wednesday night. Stepping down in class fro the first time since a Doncaster novice event in May 2024, this presented a golden opportunity for a confidence-boosting triumph. So it proved, despite a strong field for a conditions event of this nature.

Spy Chief set the pace but weakened inside the final furlong, while Montassib finished third and Wise Approach fourth.

What connections said

James Doyle told Racing TV after his victory that Kind Of Blue “travelled very easily through the race” and said: “It was a nice experience today to bring him forward for Champions Day.” The British Champions Sprint Stakes is a race Kind Of Blue won in 2024 and was his previous win prior to the Wednesday night action.

Doyle added further that: “The winning margin wasn’t as big as we would have liked, but we had decent runners up our tail and we were pleased with him.” Connections earned £13,400 for the success.