22 June 2018

Trainer's First Ascot Win

Royal Ascot's oldest and most prestigious contest gave racegoers an extraordinary thrill yesterday but it also turned out to be something extra special for the winning trainer. Surprisingly, for John Gosden, who has had his fair share of the world's great races, it was a first Royal Ascot winner. Those who doubted Stradivarius's stamina had to admit that the Sea The Stars colt had more than what it takes after a three-way competition in the last quarter of a mile. For much of the race, the four-year-old was kept midfield shadowing the Aidan O'Brien-trained Order Of St George, the other joint-favourite. The latter, however, who won this race two years ago, started to feel the pressure half a mile from home and at the moment Jessica Harrington's Torcedor swept to the front. Then the Aga Khan-owned Vazirabad appeared on the scene to make a challenge but was unable to get the better of Stradivarius who claimed the prestigious gold Cup by three quarters of a length.

Simon says: Win!

This former racing manager enjoyed many Royal Ascot successes over his more than twenty years of tenure with Godolphin. For Simon Crisford, however, who took out a licence in 2014, no doubt nothing can compare with a first Ascot winner as a trainer. The Kremlin House Stables handler saddled the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum-owned Ostilio in the Britannia Stakes and was up against some of the best trainers in the business. But he also had the benefit of the equine skills of former champion jockey, Silvestre de Sousa, who took the initiative to urge the New Approach colt across to the stands' rail from the unfavourable stall 15. From there the three-year-old set a pace that kept him five lengths clear of his rivals and, against all expectations, managed to hold on and win by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

Moore to come

Ten years ago Ryan Moore notched up his first Royal Ascot win aboard the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Colony in the King George V Handicap. Since that auspicious beginning the the Brighton-born jockey has never had a blank year and has been top jockey at the meeting for seven of the last eight years. Yesterday the thirty-four-year-old rider achieved his fiftieth success at the Berkshire track. Riding the Aidan O'Brien-trained Hunting Horn Ryan Moore claimed the Hampton Court Stakes by four-and-a-half lengths.