Fallen Angel joined a select band of fillies to win group 1s at 2, 3, and 4 in thrilling fashion, pulling the Prix Rothschild out of the fire under a determined Danny Tudhope, who admitted afterwards to the emotion of the occasion at Deauville.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained pair Exactly and January took it in turns to try and head Fallen Angel inside the final two furlongs, but with each attack the grey daughter of Too Darn Hot found extra reserves to reassert.
Purchased by Wathnan from Steve Parkin's Clipper Logistics last autumn, Fallen Angel was adding a top-level success in open company at four to her Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) success last year and victory in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) as a juvenile in 2023.
"It's quite emotional to be honest because this filly means a lot to me. I've won a group 1 on her at 2 and I won the Irish One Thousand Guineas last year," said Tudhope, who received the call-up to resume his partnership with Fallen Angel when retained rider James Doyle opted for Royal Ascot winner Crimson Advocate.
"She got sold to Wathnan Racing and to get back on her is amazing. I have to thank Wathnan and the team so much for letting me ride her again."
Asked if he was surprised that Fallen Angel was able to repel January, Tudhope answered with a calm and measured "no".
"She's a good filly and the ground was probably too quick for her last time," he said. "It was probably quick enough today, but she showed her class and she's a multiple group 1 winner now. It takes a good one to get past her."
Karl Burke has emerged as one of Wathnan's key allies, having won the Norfolk Stakes (G2) and the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot in 2024 with horses sporting their peacock blue and gold silks.
"I'm absolutely delighted to have a group 1 winner for Wathnan," Burke said. "They've been huge supporters and long may it continue. I'm delighted for Danny as well. I was a little surprised James went the way he did. I know Crimson Advocate beat us at Ascot, but we needed that better ground and the cheekpieces made a bit of difference."
Burke added: "Her work has taken a step forward since Ascot and especially over the last two weeks. I wouldn't say we were confident but we were bullish going there. She doesn't want any firmness in it like she had at Ascot where, coming round the bend, her head just came up a bit.
"She's such an honest, game filly and she was battling back in the last 100 yards then, as she did today. She only does what you ask her to do and Aidan's filly coming to her helped. What I'm really pleased about is that she's emulated Laurens in winning a group 1 at 2, 3, and 4."
Burke has enjoyed a remarkable record at Deauville's summer residence over the last decade or so, and Fallen Angel joins Odeliz, Unfortunately, and Laurens as group 1 winners here, equaling O'Brien's haul at the meeting and trailing only Andre Fabre and John Gosden among active trainers.
Looking ahead to future targets for his star filly, the winning trainer said: "I would imagine the Matron Stakes is the next port of call and hopefully we'll have some nice ground at that time of year. There is the mile and a quarter Prix Jean Romanet, but we'll enjoy today, get her home and see how she is, and then I'll speak to connections. But the way she's won that I'd be happy to stick at a mile."
