South Africa`s flying mare National Colour fell agonisingly short of Group 1 glory in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes over 1000m at Newmarket in England today, but nevertheless emerged with her reputation enhanced after being caught late by the strong-finishing Borderlescott.

Living up to her "blink or you`ll miss her" reputation, the daughter of National Assembly (CAN) ran the only way she knows, tearing along in front under Kevin Shea. There was plenty of cause for optimism 400m out as she had a number of her opponents gasping for air and favourites Equiano (who had beaten her in the King Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot ) and Kingsgate Native (also a Gr 1 winner at Royal Ascot this year and winner of the Nunthorpe in 2007) had a bit of work to do to catch her.

The death knell however, came in the last furlong as National Colour hit rising ground and her early exertions started to tell. Borderlescott, who had travelled comfortably just off the pace, came out of the pack and soon had her measure. To her credit, Sean Tarry`s charge fought back and never stopped trying but Bordelescott had too much in hand and won comfortably enough in the end.

Kingsgate Native and Equiano had won at long odds at Royal Ascot but they showed those efforts were no fluke in staying on for third and fourth respectively.

Borderlescott was the best horse on the day and a worthy winner, so nothing should be taken away from him and no excuses need be made for National Colour. The winner has gotten better with age and although the form book suggested he might just fall short of Gr 1 level, he came into the race as one of the most honest and durable sprinters in the UK over the past year and this victory was due reward for his consistency.

From a South African perspective, there are plenty of points of consolation to take from National Colour`s defeat. She was, after all, having only her second run after a year-long, injury-enforced layoff and there were always going to be doubts as to whether she could mount any sort of a comeback. One suspects that the filly who completed a superb Gr 1 treble in South African in 2006 would have probably won here, but the new version is looking pretty competitive and if she stays sound, there is hope that she could yet enjoy more Gr 1 glory.

From London News to Sun Classique and Jay Peg, South Africa`s thoroughbreds have been doing us proud on the international stage over the past decade or do. In the sprinting domain, National Colour is - at her best - easily as good as any of these middle-distance champions and it will be sad if her career comes to a close without her picking up a major international prize. 

For now, though, despite the obvious disappointment of today`s defeat, her connections and fans can be proud of her performance. As usual, she has not let the side down and she has shown that, fit and well, she need not fear any horse in the world over five furlongs.