Zavateri secured a commanding victory in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood, overcoming challenging muddy conditions to win convincingly. The three-year-old, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, entered the race as the 11-10 favorite after two unsuccessful attempts earlier in the summer but capitalized on the drop to Group 2 competition.

Demonstrating strong positioning throughout the race, Zavateri took the lead with a furlong remaining and pulled away to finish three lengths ahead of runner-up Qirat. Johnson Houghton praised the horse’s performance, noting that handling the soft ground was a key factor in the win.

“I said before, ‘if he handled the ground he would win,’ and he did,” Johnson Houghton said. She highlighted Zavateri’s development over the season, describing the horse as having come from humble beginnings but evolving into a formidable competitor. “He’s from humble beginnings and we have asked him some tough tasks this season but he has developed into a machine,” she added.

The trainer also pointed to the horse’s acceleration in the final stages as a sign of his growing ability. Looking ahead, Johnson Houghton confirmed plans to enter Zavateri in the QEII Stakes at Ascot, a Group 1 event, aiming to test him against higher-caliber opposition. “He’ll go to the QEII at Ascot next, I’m keen for him to go there and back into Group 1 company,” she said.

The Celebration Mile win marks a significant step forward in Zavateri’s career, suggesting the horse is ready to compete at the highest level following solid progress over the summer season.