Royal Ascot 2011
To open Royal Ascot 2011, The Queen unveiled a magnificent bronze sculpture in the Ascot's main paddock of Coolmore's stallion, Yeats, who is the only horse to win Ascot's Gold Cup four times.
It set a quality tone for international racegoers and fans on the first day of Royal Ascot which offers three Group 1 races featuring some of the world's top Turf horses.
This year is also the first year of the British Champions' Series and winners of those three Group 1s qualify for inclusion.
The King's Stand Stakes also qualified for the Global Sprint Challenge.
Breeders' Cup executives actively scout the races on Day 1 and 2 for talent to include in their November championship races which will be held November 4 and 5 at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.
Arguably the first and third races generated the most interest generated by the presence of Canford Cliffs, Cape Blanco, Goldikova in the first and mega-star Frankel in the third.
The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m)for 4yo+
Canford Cliffs got the better of Goldikova. Photo ©David Hastings
Flash Dance was pacemaker for Freddie Head's Goldikova, 6yo triple Breeders' Cup Mile winner and 13-Group 1 winner, who was sent out with her jockey Olivier Peslier weighing in two pounds overweight.*
Handicap officials acknowledge that the extra weight negated her fillies' allowance and cost her a length.
With trainer Richard Hannon gunning for blood after his colt Paco Boy's multiple losses to the mare (costing him over £1.5 million in earnings) and a very fit Canford Cliffs under top jockey Richard Hughes, Goldikova could expect no mercy.
With the weight disadvantage, her jockey should not have taken the lead too early if he wanted to avoid setting her up as a sitting duck.
Further, he did not appear notice Canford Cliffs oncoming assault 1f out and responded too late for even a dead heat.
Goldikova is a mare who will always try with her tremendous speed and determination if she gets the jockey signal soon enough. She did not get it and came in second by 1 length.
Cityscape was another 1¾ lengths in third. The talented Cape Blanco had an off day 16 lengths behind the winner and beat only Flash Dance home and behind Rio De La Plata and Ransom Note.
The King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series and Global Sprint Challenge), 5f (5/8m, 1000m) for 3y0+
Nineteen runners from eight countries competed in this sharp 5f sprint and the impressive foreign competitors looked to have the advantage over Britain's horses.
Robert Cowell's four-year-old gelding, Prohibit, beat out three foreign-trained horses in a tight close with Australia's Star Witness, South Africa's mare Sweet Sanette and Hungary's speedster Overdose.
Prohibit races best from behind under a strong pace and he got his conditions paying 7/1.
He gave Ballydoyle's Zoffany the chance to streak from the rear 1f out to nearly, but never able to, catch him.
Favourite Kingsgate Native at 11/2 was 3¾ lengths behind the winner in sixth and the second favourite at 13/2, Sole Power, was eighth by 4¼ lengths.
*In Peslier's attempt to lose his extra 2 pounds, he took a sauna and grabbed boots which looked like his. They were not and he was fined £650. Not his best day.
The St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 3yo entire colts
The world's highest-rated horse, unbeaten Frankel, won his cliffhanger St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Photo ©David Hastings
This must be the race of races at this year's Royal Ascot.
There is no adequate description of the excitement leading up to seeing the world's highest rated horse, Frankel, annihilate another hapless field of the year's best three-year olds.
Yet confused signals between the pacemaker Rerouted who went too fast burning himself out early and the wilful Frankel who forced himself into the lead 2f out and then dawdled almost contemptuously.
The playful Frankel left part of the audience holding its collective breathe and other sounding as if they were having heart attacks with the tension.
After watching Goldikova's being pipped, it was good to see jockey Tom Queally rally his colt thereby averting disaster.
Zoffany has the rare distinction of getting closest to the Wonder at a ¾ length, but only because of a failed Cecil (Sir Henry) team tactic.
Cecil promised to change tactics in future races and defended his jockey from what he felt was unfair criticism.
Marco Botti's Excelebration lost again to Frankel - this time ceding second to Zoffany and just holding third from Neebras by a head. They were 2¼ and 2½ lengths behind the winner.
The other five competitors were too far behind to be in the same class: Dream Ahead, Dubawi Gold, Wootton Bassett, Grand Prix Boss from Japan and pacemaker Rerouted.
The three races were fast on good ground, but this race was the fastest by 0.76s (1m 39.24s).
One can only admire Sir Henry Cecil for allowing the Juddmonte colt his head and experimenting with different tactics.
He is not playing it safe. Frankel will have his chance to show how good he really is.
Day Two
Races with international 'star' horses and good weather increased Royal Ascot's opening day crowd by 10% over last year to 43,354. Even Tote betting increased by 14% over last year to £1,245,535.
The second day of Royal Ascot has three world-class Group races which were full of surprises and without a favourite winning.
The Jersey Stakes (Group 3), 7f (7/8m, 1400m) for 3yo
After seeing Richard Hannon's Strong Suit in the saddling area, it was difficult to imagine the imposing colt not being the favourite (11/1), but Codemaster was at 7/4.
Strong Suit was one of last year's best two-year olds. Breathing problems developed this year and he had surgery to relieve the difficulty.
When he powered up, Codemaster and the third Western Aristocrat at 9/2 had no answer. Strong Suit was out front by ½ length and a neck in 1m 26.09s (fast by 0.61s).
The victory gave trainer Richard Hannon and son-in-law Richard Hughes their second Group victory in Royal Ascot's opening races.
The Windsor Forest Stakes (Group 2), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 4yo+ fillies and mares
Ireland's Lolly For Dolly bested 12 far more experienced and higher-rated fillies to win by 1½ lengths over Sir Henry Cecil's Chachamaidee and David Simcock's First City (by another length).
Tommy Stack, trainer of the winner. attributed her victory to staying ability and newly-fitted blinkers. Wayne Lordan gave her a perfect ride and was thrilled with his first win at Royal Ascot.
The Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m2f (10f, 1¼m, 2000m) for 4yo+
Frankie Dettori's flying dismount from Godolphin's Rewilding after winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Photo ©David Hastings
This race probably had the most shocking conclusion of any during the meet.
Ballydoyle's famous import from Australia, So You Think NZ, was sent out 4/11 favourite. Any and all would probably have done battle over his being the one sure winner of the day.
Godolphin did not agree and they sent in their Debussy and Rewilding, winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic, to take on the challenge.
Debussy is a better frontrunning horse at 7f or a mile and Rewilding is a true 1m4f stayer who lags in the back to make bursting closes.
Godolphin bet on So You Think's actually not being a stayer and Rewilding having the ability to handle a sharper trip than usual. And they have jockey Frankie Dettori.
The saddling-up area is the best place to assess the fitness and mood of potential winners. Those three horses, plus the underestimated Sri Putra, looked the best.
I bet on the sleek and lightly-raced Rewilding, half brother of Dar Re Mi by dam Darara, who looked outstanding to me.
Jan Vermeer, who was So You Think's pacemaker, missed the break and took 2f to get to the front putting SYT in second to be closely shadowed by Debussy.
Ryan Moore had trouble settling his mount SYT who was sweating in the paddock.
Once they hit the front, it appeared the race was locked down 1f out until the Dettori torpedo shot from back of the pack to wear down So You Think winning by a neck with Sri Putra third 6 lengths out.
The crowd was stunned and Godolphin jubilant.
Dettori did his flying dismount after earning himself a nine-day ban for excessive use of the whip.
Aidan O'Brien claimed his horse lost, because he was not fit enough. Australians and New Zealanders had much more unkind assessments.
Day Three
The third day of Royal Ascot draws the largest crowd of the Meet as it is Ladies' Day and the ladies come in droves to outdo each other in fashion.
It is also Gold Cup Day. For the last four years, the race was won by Yeats who is now retired to the Coolmore Stud and commemorated on Day One by The Queen when unveiling his statue in the main paddock.
This year's tussle for Royal Ascot's iconic was between the two major racing empires: Opinion Poll for Godolphin (Darley) and Fame And Glory for Ballydoyle (Coolmore).
The Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 2m4f (20f, 2½m, 4000m) for 4yo+
Yeats' worthy successor Fame And Glory outclassed Royal Ascot's Gold Cup field winning by 3 lengths over Opinion Poll. Photo ©David Hastings
The race was slowly run in 4m 37.51s (16.51s) and perfectly set up for jockey Jamie Spencer to bring Ballydoyle's relaxed Fame And Glory to the front of 14 other competitors in the final furlongs of the Gold Cup.
His stamina gave him the edge in the staying race over Godolphin's respected Opinion Poll and trainer Andre Fabre's accomplished Brigantin who raced for owners Team Valor.
Fame And Glory won easily by 3 lengths over Opinion Poll and a further 4½ lengths over Brigantin.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien confirmed that the five-year old horse will be prepared for October's Arc de Triomphe and he will return to Royal Ascot next year to try to equal or best Yeats' Gold Cup record.
Day Four
Thursday at Royal Ascot may be Ladies' Day, but the fourth day of Royal Ascot or Friday has the showcase mile race for the best international fillies of the three-year-old Classic generation.
The Corronation Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 3yo fillies
Robert Collet and son brought their dynamic filly duo, Immortal Verse and Nova Hawk, from France to take first and second in Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Twelve fillies competed led by some of Britain and Ireland's best females.
France's Robert and son Ron Collet believed they had two of the best three-year old fillies, Immortal Verse and Nova Hawk, of 2011 and committed them to Royal Ascot's prestigious Coronation Stakes.
They were right. The beautiful Immortal Verse beat her beautiful compatriot Nova Hawk by 2¼ lengths followed a half length by Richard Fahey's Barefoot Lady.
The British were stunned but gracious to the happy Frenchmen. Regretfully, there is some truth in the French trainers complaint to the French press that they received only a tepid reception for their victories.
The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2), 1m4f (12f, 1½m, 2400m) for colts and geldings
Trainer John Gosden usually has good reasons when he brings a three-year-old colt who has only won a maiden to compete in one Royal Ascot's Group 2 historic races.
Nathaniel was second to Treasure Beach in the Group 3 Chester Vase and did not face as stiff competition in the King Edward.
The handsome Nathaniel, who has proven to be best at 12 furlongs, waltzed 5 lengths past his nearest rival (of nine) Fiorente and another 2 lengths ahead of Alexander Pope in a slow 2m 34.48s (slow by 4.48s).
Young jockey William Buick rode Nathaniel to perfection.
The team is just beginning its upward curve for they have a very talented colt.
Day Five
Royal Ascot's closing day on Saturday is often family day which has one of the best races for two-year olds and a prestigious 6f sprint which is part of the Global Sprint Challenge along with the 5f King's Stands Stakes won by Britain's Prohibit on opening day.
Many foreign sprinters come to Royal Ascot just to compete in both races as the 5 and 6 furlong distances.
Until recently the British sprinters were easy prey for the superior foreign horses, but that has changed with Prohibit and Society Rock (below).
The Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series and Global Sprint Challenge, 6f
Society Rock outpowered Monsieur Chevalier and Star Witness in Royal Ascot's Golden Jubilee Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Australia's Star Witness travelled to Royal Ascot to compete in both its Global Sprint Challenge races a 5 and 6 furlongs.
He was unfortunate to be touched off by Prohibit in the King's Stands Stakes, but had no excuses when he lost to Society Rock by 1¾ lengths. He was third 1¼ lengths behind trainer Richard Hannon's Monsieur Chevalier who has recovered much of his earlier form.
Trainer James Fanshawe always seems to produce a winner at Royal Ascot.
The Chesham Stakes (Listed Race), 7f for 2yo fillies and colts
Future star Maybe in the Ballydoyle Tabor colours imposed herself on 15 other 2y olds by 2¼ lengths in Royal Ascot's Chesham Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Sometimes trainers are overly enthusiastic about their horses, but Aidan O'Brien's words about his two-year-old filly Maybe were understatements.
With Ryan Moore on board, the filly was sent out 5/2 favourite in Royal Ascot's Chesham Stakes and she thrashed the field of 16 - 2¼ lengths in front of Fort Bastion and another 3 lengths before Self Centered.
The youngster is a very finished professional filly and one expects great things from her.
The O'Brien/Moore team also won the second race of the day, the Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2), 1m4f for 4yo+, with four-year-old colt Await The Dawn who beat Harris Tweed by 3 lengths and Drunken Sailor in third.
Overall World Top Ten Ratings
Outstanding winners and seconds enhanced their reputations on the World Top Ten Ratings with their Royal Ascot Turf performances:
Canford Cliffs and Goldikova rose to 130 and 126 respectively for the Queen Anne race.
Rewilding and So You Think raised their ratings to 130 and 129 respectively for the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
Frankel retains his 133 world leader rating for the 2000 Guineas though his impressive St James's Palace Stakes did not rate a 133.
Workforce earned his 127 from the Brigadeer Gerard and did not compete in Royal Ascot.
Five of the world's top Turf horses competed at Royal Ascot and six of the 11 are European.
Posted June 19, 2011
Royal Ascot Will Set Season's Form Again
To open Royal Ascot 2011, The Queen unveiled a magnificent bronze sculpture in the Ascot's main paddock of Coolmore's stallion, Yeats, who is the only horse to win Ascot's Gold Cup four times.
It set a quality tone for international racegoers and fans on the first day of Royal Ascot which offers three Group 1 races featuring some of the world's top Turf horses.
This year is also the first year of the British Champions' Series and winners of those three Group 1s qualify for inclusion.
The King's Stand Stakes also qualified for the Global Sprint Challenge.
Breeders' Cup executives actively scout the races on Day 1 and 2 for talent to include in their November championship races which will be held November 4 and 5 at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.
Arguably the first and third races generated the most interest generated by the presence of Canford Cliffs, Cape Blanco, Goldikova in the first and mega-star Frankel in the third.
The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m)for 4yo+
Canford Cliffs got the better of Goldikova. Photo ©David Hastings
Flash Dance was pacemaker for Freddie Head's Goldikova, 6yo triple Breeders' Cup Mile winner and 13-Group 1 winner, who was sent out with her jockey Olivier Peslier weighing in two pounds overweight.*
Handicap officials acknowledge that the extra weight negated her fillies' allowance and cost her a length.
With trainer Richard Hannon gunning for blood after his colt Paco Boy's multiple losses to the mare (costing him over £1.5 million in earnings) and a very fit Canford Cliffs under top jockey Richard Hughes, Goldikova could expect no mercy.
With the weight disadvantage, her jockey should not have taken the lead too early if he wanted to avoid setting her up as a sitting duck.
Further, he did not appear notice Canford Cliffs oncoming assault 1f out and responded too late for even a dead heat.
Goldikova is a mare who will always try with her tremendous speed and determination if she gets the jockey signal soon enough. She did not get it and came in second by 1 length.
Cityscape was another 1¾ lengths in third. The talented Cape Blanco had an off day 16 lengths behind the winner and beat only Flash Dance home and behind Rio De La Plata and Ransom Note.
The King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series and Global Sprint Challenge), 5f (5/8m, 1000m) for 3y0+
Nineteen runners from eight countries competed in this sharp 5f sprint and the impressive foreign competitors looked to have the advantage over Britain's horses.
Robert Cowell's four-year-old gelding, Prohibit, beat out three foreign-trained horses in a tight close with Australia's Star Witness, South Africa's mare Sweet Sanette and Hungary's speedster Overdose.
Prohibit races best from behind under a strong pace and he got his conditions paying 7/1.
He gave Ballydoyle's Zoffany the chance to streak from the rear 1f out to nearly, but never able to, catch him.
Favourite Kingsgate Native at 11/2 was 3¾ lengths behind the winner in sixth and the second favourite at 13/2, Sole Power, was eighth by 4¼ lengths.
*In Peslier's attempt to lose his extra 2 pounds, he took a sauna and grabbed boots which looked like his. They were not and he was fined £650. Not his best day.
The St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 3yo entire colts
The world's highest-rated horse, unbeaten Frankel, won his cliffhanger St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Photo ©David Hastings
This must be the race of races at this year's Royal Ascot.
There is no adequate description of the excitement leading up to seeing the world's highest rated horse, Frankel, annihilate another hapless field of the year's best three-year olds.
Yet confused signals between the pacemaker Rerouted who went too fast burning himself out early and the wilful Frankel who forced himself into the lead 2f out and then dawdled almost contemptuously.
The playful Frankel left part of the audience holding its collective breathe and other sounding as if they were having heart attacks with the tension.
After watching Goldikova's being pipped, it was good to see jockey Tom Queally rally his colt thereby averting disaster.
Zoffany has the rare distinction of getting closest to the Wonder at a ¾ length, but only because of a failed Cecil (Sir Henry) team tactic.
Cecil promised to change tactics in future races and defended his jockey from what he felt was unfair criticism.
Marco Botti's Excelebration lost again to Frankel - this time ceding second to Zoffany and just holding third from Neebras by a head. They were 2¼ and 2½ lengths behind the winner.
The other five competitors were too far behind to be in the same class: Dream Ahead, Dubawi Gold, Wootton Bassett, Grand Prix Boss from Japan and pacemaker Rerouted.
The three races were fast on good ground, but this race was the fastest by 0.76s (1m 39.24s).
One can only admire Sir Henry Cecil for allowing the Juddmonte colt his head and experimenting with different tactics.
He is not playing it safe. Frankel will have his chance to show how good he really is.
Day Two
Races with international 'star' horses and good weather increased Royal Ascot's opening day crowd by 10% over last year to 43,354. Even Tote betting increased by 14% over last year to £1,245,535.
The second day of Royal Ascot has three world-class Group races which were full of surprises and without a favourite winning.
The Jersey Stakes (Group 3), 7f (7/8m, 1400m) for 3yo
After seeing Richard Hannon's Strong Suit in the saddling area, it was difficult to imagine the imposing colt not being the favourite (11/1), but Codemaster was at 7/4.
Strong Suit was one of last year's best two-year olds. Breathing problems developed this year and he had surgery to relieve the difficulty.
When he powered up, Codemaster and the third Western Aristocrat at 9/2 had no answer. Strong Suit was out front by ½ length and a neck in 1m 26.09s (fast by 0.61s).
The victory gave trainer Richard Hannon and son-in-law Richard Hughes their second Group victory in Royal Ascot's opening races.
The Windsor Forest Stakes (Group 2), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 4yo+ fillies and mares
Ireland's Lolly For Dolly bested 12 far more experienced and higher-rated fillies to win by 1½ lengths over Sir Henry Cecil's Chachamaidee and David Simcock's First City (by another length).
Tommy Stack, trainer of the winner. attributed her victory to staying ability and newly-fitted blinkers. Wayne Lordan gave her a perfect ride and was thrilled with his first win at Royal Ascot.
The Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m2f (10f, 1¼m, 2000m) for 4yo+
Frankie Dettori's flying dismount from Godolphin's Rewilding after winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Photo ©David Hastings
This race probably had the most shocking conclusion of any during the meet.
Ballydoyle's famous import from Australia, So You Think NZ, was sent out 4/11 favourite. Any and all would probably have done battle over his being the one sure winner of the day.
Godolphin did not agree and they sent in their Debussy and Rewilding, winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic, to take on the challenge.
Debussy is a better frontrunning horse at 7f or a mile and Rewilding is a true 1m4f stayer who lags in the back to make bursting closes.
Godolphin bet on So You Think's actually not being a stayer and Rewilding having the ability to handle a sharper trip than usual. And they have jockey Frankie Dettori.
The saddling-up area is the best place to assess the fitness and mood of potential winners. Those three horses, plus the underestimated Sri Putra, looked the best.
I bet on the sleek and lightly-raced Rewilding, half brother of Dar Re Mi by dam Darara, who looked outstanding to me.
Jan Vermeer, who was So You Think's pacemaker, missed the break and took 2f to get to the front putting SYT in second to be closely shadowed by Debussy.
Ryan Moore had trouble settling his mount SYT who was sweating in the paddock.
Once they hit the front, it appeared the race was locked down 1f out until the Dettori torpedo shot from back of the pack to wear down So You Think winning by a neck with Sri Putra third 6 lengths out.
The crowd was stunned and Godolphin jubilant.
Dettori did his flying dismount after earning himself a nine-day ban for excessive use of the whip.
Aidan O'Brien claimed his horse lost, because he was not fit enough. Australians and New Zealanders had much more unkind assessments.
Day Three
The third day of Royal Ascot draws the largest crowd of the Meet as it is Ladies' Day and the ladies come in droves to outdo each other in fashion.
It is also Gold Cup Day. For the last four years, the race was won by Yeats who is now retired to the Coolmore Stud and commemorated on Day One by The Queen when unveiling his statue in the main paddock.
This year's tussle for Royal Ascot's iconic was between the two major racing empires: Opinion Poll for Godolphin (Darley) and Fame And Glory for Ballydoyle (Coolmore).
The Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 2m4f (20f, 2½m, 4000m) for 4yo+
Yeats' worthy successor Fame And Glory outclassed Royal Ascot's Gold Cup field winning by 3 lengths over Opinion Poll. Photo ©David Hastings
The race was slowly run in 4m 37.51s (16.51s) and perfectly set up for jockey Jamie Spencer to bring Ballydoyle's relaxed Fame And Glory to the front of 14 other competitors in the final furlongs of the Gold Cup.
His stamina gave him the edge in the staying race over Godolphin's respected Opinion Poll and trainer Andre Fabre's accomplished Brigantin who raced for owners Team Valor.
Fame And Glory won easily by 3 lengths over Opinion Poll and a further 4½ lengths over Brigantin.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien confirmed that the five-year old horse will be prepared for October's Arc de Triomphe and he will return to Royal Ascot next year to try to equal or best Yeats' Gold Cup record.
Day Four
Thursday at Royal Ascot may be Ladies' Day, but the fourth day of Royal Ascot or Friday has the showcase mile race for the best international fillies of the three-year-old Classic generation.
The Corronation Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 3yo fillies
Robert Collet and son brought their dynamic filly duo, Immortal Verse and Nova Hawk, from France to take first and second in Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Twelve fillies competed led by some of Britain and Ireland's best females.
France's Robert and son Ron Collet believed they had two of the best three-year old fillies, Immortal Verse and Nova Hawk, of 2011 and committed them to Royal Ascot's prestigious Coronation Stakes.
They were right. The beautiful Immortal Verse beat her beautiful compatriot Nova Hawk by 2¼ lengths followed a half length by Richard Fahey's Barefoot Lady.
The British were stunned but gracious to the happy Frenchmen. Regretfully, there is some truth in the French trainers complaint to the French press that they received only a tepid reception for their victories.
The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2), 1m4f (12f, 1½m, 2400m) for colts and geldings
Trainer John Gosden usually has good reasons when he brings a three-year-old colt who has only won a maiden to compete in one Royal Ascot's Group 2 historic races.
Nathaniel was second to Treasure Beach in the Group 3 Chester Vase and did not face as stiff competition in the King Edward.
The handsome Nathaniel, who has proven to be best at 12 furlongs, waltzed 5 lengths past his nearest rival (of nine) Fiorente and another 2 lengths ahead of Alexander Pope in a slow 2m 34.48s (slow by 4.48s).
Young jockey William Buick rode Nathaniel to perfection.
The team is just beginning its upward curve for they have a very talented colt.
Day Five
Royal Ascot's closing day on Saturday is often family day which has one of the best races for two-year olds and a prestigious 6f sprint which is part of the Global Sprint Challenge along with the 5f King's Stands Stakes won by Britain's Prohibit on opening day.
Many foreign sprinters come to Royal Ascot just to compete in both races as the 5 and 6 furlong distances.
Until recently the British sprinters were easy prey for the superior foreign horses, but that has changed with Prohibit and Society Rock (below).
The Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series and Global Sprint Challenge, 6f
Society Rock outpowered Monsieur Chevalier and Star Witness in Royal Ascot's Golden Jubilee Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Australia's Star Witness travelled to Royal Ascot to compete in both its Global Sprint Challenge races a 5 and 6 furlongs.
He was unfortunate to be touched off by Prohibit in the King's Stands Stakes, but had no excuses when he lost to Society Rock by 1¾ lengths. He was third 1¼ lengths behind trainer Richard Hannon's Monsieur Chevalier who has recovered much of his earlier form.
Trainer James Fanshawe always seems to produce a winner at Royal Ascot.
The Chesham Stakes (Listed Race), 7f for 2yo fillies and colts
Future star Maybe in the Ballydoyle Tabor colours imposed herself on 15 other 2y olds by 2¼ lengths in Royal Ascot's Chesham Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Sometimes trainers are overly enthusiastic about their horses, but Aidan O'Brien's words about his two-year-old filly Maybe were understatements.
With Ryan Moore on board, the filly was sent out 5/2 favourite in Royal Ascot's Chesham Stakes and she thrashed the field of 16 - 2¼ lengths in front of Fort Bastion and another 3 lengths before Self Centered.
The youngster is a very finished professional filly and one expects great things from her.
The O'Brien/Moore team also won the second race of the day, the Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2), 1m4f for 4yo+, with four-year-old colt Await The Dawn who beat Harris Tweed by 3 lengths and Drunken Sailor in third.
Overall World Top Ten Ratings
Outstanding winners and seconds enhanced their reputations on the World Top Ten Ratings with their Royal Ascot Turf performances:
Canford Cliffs and Goldikova rose to 130 and 126 respectively for the Queen Anne race.
Rewilding and So You Think raised their ratings to 130 and 129 respectively for the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
Frankel retains his 133 world leader rating for the 2000 Guineas though his impressive St James's Palace Stakes did not rate a 133.
Workforce earned his 127 from the Brigadeer Gerard and did not compete in Royal Ascot.
Five of the world's top Turf horses competed at Royal Ascot and six of the 11 are European.
Posted June 19, 2011
Royal Ascot Will Set Season's Form Again
The five-day Royal Ascot Meet occurs during the early peak season for most horse. Its races are known to establish the year's form for the horses competing in its wide range of races and distances.
It is suitable, that given 2011 is the 300th Anniversary of Royal Ascot, the QIPCO British Champions Series should start its first Series in the same year having seven of Royal Ascot's races are part of the Series.
Three major QIPCO BCS races are on opening day June 14th.
The Queen Anne Stakes (1m, 4yo+) has lured six-year-old Goldikova back to England to repeat her success last year. She is up against very tough competition against powerful males like Canford Cliffs, Cape Blanco, Citiscape, Ransom Note and Rio Del La Plata. Flash Dance will be her pacemaker.
Given the mess in the Prix de Diane, one hopes Goldikova's jockey remembers that she is 2010 Horse of the Year in both England and France as well as being the three-times' winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile.
The King's Stand Stakes (5f, 3yo+) has attracted 19 of some of the world's finest sprinters - except Black Caviar who will compete in 2012 - and trainers.
Overdose is back for the Czech Republic. Todd Pletcher brought Bridgetown and Wesley Smith brought Holiday For Kitten to be ridden by Zenyatta's partner Mike Smith who is riding in Britain this Spring.
Star Witness is currently favourite and hails from Australia.
The European home team claims the favourites in Sole Power and game Kingsgate Native.
This is the most open race of the three starting the RA/BCS Series.
The St James's Palace Stakes (1m, 3yo) promises to be a thriller with eight taking on Frankel who is the highest-rated colt in the world at 130.
Japan is not affraid of him. It has sent Grand Prix Boss with Dubai World Cup winner Mirco Demuro on board. Dumuro is proving to be one of the world's top jockeys in and out of Italy along with his chum Frankie Dettori.
Dubawi Gold and Wootton Bassett return to the challenge against Frankel along with Dream Ahead, Excelebration, Rerouted, Godolphin's Neebras and Ballydoyle's Zoffany.
Many think Canford Cliffs will beat Goldikova. He may, but my heart is always with her.
I cannot predict the sprint outcome, but I cannot see any colt beating Frankel unless he has his first bad day.
Inside international horse racing paddocks with form expert Susan Trevelyan-Syke
Future Champions Day 2011
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Dubai Future Champions Day
Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum presented the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes awards to two-year-old Parish Hall's connections (left to right) jockey Kevin Manning, the Sheikh, PH's lad, trainer Jim Bolger, his wife Jackie and her friend. ©Photo Racing International
The newly-revised British fixture list awarded Newmarket Racecourse the first-ever Dubai Future Champions Day as an important part of the QIPCO British Champions Series concluding October 15 in the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot.
The day is sponsored by the Emirate Dubai of the UAE and will select outstanding future champions.
Its races also play an important role in selecting qualified juvenile horses for the Breeders' Cup.
Winners can boost chances for the First Season Sires Championship - especially for Baltic King, Cockney Rebel, Dark Angel, Dutch Art, Excellent Art, Lawman and Dark Angel, Cockney Rebel, and Teofilo - many of whose first crops were racing on Saturday.
The title is decided by the amount of money won by their racing offspring.
Despite cool and misty weather, over 9,018 attended selling out restaurants and hospitality boxes well in advance.
They were not disappointed with the high quality of racing which showcased six Group races with two Group 1s, two Group 2s and two Group 3s wrapped round the beloved Bedfred Cesarewitch (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2).
The races were run on fresh ground, unused since May, near the stand side and described as good to firm, fast, and loose on top by jockeys after the first race.
Sexist as it may be, the Group 1 two-year-old colts' races at 6f and 7f are the most prestigious - the Emaar Middle Park Stakes (£163,500 total prize money) and the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (£317,000 total prize money).
The Middle Park often produces sprinters like Dream Ahead in 2011.
The Dewhurst is considered one of the most important races on the British juvenile calendar as it often produces future Guineas and Derby winners like Frankel in 2011.
Given the form and breeding of the winner Parish Hall, there is no doubt he could be a major contender for 2012.
His sire Teofilo won the Dewhurst in 2006 and was so good that he was betting favourite for both the 2007 Guineas and Derby. Tragically, he was injured and retired to stud.
Impressive Parish Hall is from Teofilo's first crop and is a ringer for his sire (see photo and video link below).
In winning the Dewhurst, he has added £141,255 to his sire's earnings giving him a chance at the First Season Sires Championship.
Parish Hall is a homebred by Teofilo and out of Halla Siamsa IRE (Montjeu IRE). All are owned by Jackie Folger and trained by her husband - the famous Irish master trainer Jim Bolger.
Bolger has trained four winners of the Dewhurst: Teofilo in 2006, New Approach in 2007, Intense Focus in 2009 and Parish Hall.
Kevin Manning, who is the Bolger's son-in-law, rode all four Dewhurst winners.
All four colts raced in the same five races at two.
Teofilo and New Approach won all those races and were champion two-year olds.
New Approach won the Epsom Derby and was a close second in the 2000 Guineas.
Intense Focus failed to retain his juvenile form in two races at three and was retired.
Parish Hall has won two of his five career races, placed twice in second and eighth in one. His wins have been in top-of-the-ground races and he does not go on soft ground. Ireland has been very boggy this year.
His poor record on soft ground probably explains why he was only sent out at 20/1, but he had no trouble defeating the 11/4 favourite Power (Oasis Dream) by a ½ length in a thrilling finish with Most Improved, Bronterre and Trumpet Major by a head, ½ length and neck behind.
Factory Time was the next closest to the five in front at 2½ lengths followed by Spiritual Star who led in the beginning of the race, Red Duke and the rather inexperienced Ektihaam, owned by sponsor Sheikh Hamdan. He was given an easy time by jockey Richard Hills trailing in last.
The fair, straight course with its dips and rises is demanding on young horses and catches out the inexperienced.
Manning got his horse to pick up coming out of the dip to secure the rail. Parish Hall showed pure class and stamina in his victory going away from the rest at the post.
The Bolgers were delighted with their colt and had high hopes for two others, Janey Muddles IRE (Lawman FR) and Whip Rule IRE (Whipper USA) on the day. Neither won.
Bolger will rest his colt for the Winter and ready him for the Epsom and Irish Derbys. He feels Parish Hall will be better at greater distances like New Approach, but has not ruled out the one-mile Guineas.
One suspects that Bolger thinks Parish Hall to be even better than the champion New Approach.
Parish Hall IRE (Teofilo IRE). ©Photo Racing International
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92-ODLIEGro
The Emaar Middle Park Stakes, Group 1 (Class 1), 6f for two-year-old entire colts was won in a shocker by 25/1 Crusade USA (Mr Greeley USA).
The Ballydoyle second string to Reply IRE looked magnificent in the paddock and showed scope and speed to defeat Britain's leading trainer Richard Hannon's Lilbourne Lad by ¾ length with Reply in third by a head.
Neither 5/1 joint favourites Caspar Netscher nor France's Family One placed.
Whilst Lilbourne Lad will join his over-subscribed sire Acclamation at Rathberry Stud in Ireland at the end of the year, Crusade will move on to the United States for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Turf or Dirt.
His dam La Traviata USA, grandsire Mr Greeley and great-grandsire Johannesburg USA were all very fast.
The latter won the BC Juvenile on Turf and stands at Ashford Stud, Kentucky.
Crusade, winner of Emaar Middle Park Stakes, with jockey Seamus Heffernan and trainer Aidan O'Brien's son. ©Photo Racing International
The Vision.AE Rockfel Stakes, Group 2 (Class 1), 7f for 2yo fillies, should be raised to Group 1 level to attract the same level of female talent as the two Group 1 male races.
It would create greater prestige for the day if there were three Group 1 races for both sexes.
The Rockfel Stakes comes late in the season giving a chance to those females maturing later.
This race attracted a few exposed types like Regal Realm and Bana Wu as well as comers Alsindi, Pimpernel and Wading who dominated the betting.
Godolphin's Pimpernel IRE (Invincible Spirit IRE) went off 5/2 favourite with Ballydoyle's Wading IRE (Montjeu IRE) at 11/5.
In only her third race to Pimpernel's sixth, Wading took charge with authority winning by two lengths over her rival and Charlie Hills' pretty filly Gray Pearl (Excellent Art) in third by a head.
There was great disappointment for trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni who felt Pimpernel's little size doesn't help her and believes "she is good enough to run well there (Dubai) next year".
Sadly, we may not see her again in the England.
On the other hand, both Hills and Aidan O'Brien were pleased with their fillies.
O'Brien proudly spoke of Wading's speed, scope and "beauty". He asserted that he now has two outstanding two-year-old fillies in her and the season's leading winner Maybe.
He almost seemed to have a crush on Wading.
Wading has not worked with unbeaten Maybe, but "that doesn't say they won't but Maybe is finished for the season and this filly is just coming along."
She will be aimed at next year's Classics and is quoted at 10/1 for the 1000 Guineas.
She provided him with a double juvenile victory on the day following Crusade's 25/1 surprise in the Emaar Middle Park Stakes.
Wading accompanied by her jockey Ryan O'Neill and Ballydoyle team after winning the Vision.AE Rockfel Stakes. ©Photo Racing International
The Burj Khalifa Challenge Stakes, Group 2 (Class 1), 7f for 3yo+, was the opening race and provided a great card of eight starring Strong Suit USA (Rahy USA).
Richard Hannon's 13/8 favourite colt looked splendid in the paddock and let no one down with his 4½ length victory over Sir Henry Cecil's powerful filly Chachamaidee IRE (Footstepsinthesand).
She nosed out Sheikh Hamdan's speedy Maqaasid (Green Desert USA) in a photo finish for second. He is trained by John Gosden.
Chachamaidee may race at five, but Maqaasid is needed at Shadwell Stud.
Everyone had high hopes for Strong Suit early in the season until he flopped. It was discovered the that he had a breathing problem which was solved by surgery.
The handsome chestnut is back to his best with jockey Richard Hughes and will take on Goldikova in the Breeders' Cup Mile.
Hughes said "The Breeders' Cup Mile is made for him - rock hard ground and he goes left under pressure so we are going the right way."
Strong Suit was purchased by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's Qatar Bloodstock Ltd in August to compete in the Breeders' Cup and will retire to take up stallion duties at Redvers' Tweenhills Stud afterwards (unless Sheikh Fahad and his brothers who are co-owners change their minds).
Strong Suit is quoted between 7/2 to 5/1 for the BC Mile with Goldikova 2/1 favourite.
Hotwalking Strong Suit after his tour de force in the Burj Khalifa Challenge Stakes with Britain's top-earning trainer Richard Hannon in the background.
©Photo Racing International
The Betfred Cesarewitch (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2), 2m2f on the stands side Cesarewitch course for 3yo+ is one of Newmarket's favourite races.
The inimitable jockey Frankie Dettori and his four-year-old filly Never Can Tell IRE (Montjeu IRE) turn up a 25/1 upset ploughing a lone center course for this marathon race, drifting a bit, but wearing down the field of 33 others and leaving the favourites in the wilderness.
She came from the farthest Stall 36 with Dettori telling trainer Jaimie Osborne "Do me a favour, don't give me instructions."
Credit to Osborne for trusting the 500+ Group winner to figure out how to win a difficult race which he had never won in 25 years of trying.
Dettori said "We were drawn badly but with a front runner it is not a problem. I was able to get to the fence after a furlong. We cut the corner straight away and it went well from there."
"She is a great filly; she never let me down."
Osborne said "She's not very pretty or very big, but she tries and has a big heart. She has won two for Dr (Marwan) Koukash at Chester this year and scoots around those bends. She hates letting horses past her and she was doubling along there today with her ears pricked."
Racegoers were treated with a Dettori flying dismount for his win after 25 years of trying.
The Autumn Stakes, Group 3 (Class 1), run on the Rowley Mile for 2yo brought two-year-specialist trainer Richard Hannon his second success of the day.
Rochinante FR (Rock Of Gibraltar IRE), sent out at 8/1, brought down far more experienced favourites Perennial (Motivator) and Astrology IRE (Galileo IRE) by 1¾ and ½ lengths respectively.
Hannon asked to be credited with the ability to find good horses at minimum cost, but had no immediate plans for the juvenile.
Casual Hannon in black suit wraps up another victory with two-year-old Rockinante FR in The Autumn Stakes. ©Photo Racing International
Hannon and Aidan O'Brien won two races each on the Dubai Young Champions Day.
With Ireland's Jim Bolger and Italy's G Botti winning the final race, Jaime Osbourne was the only small-stable British trainer to win.
The Darley Stakes, Group 3 (Class 1), 1m1f on the Cambridgeshire course for 3yo+ drew an all-British race card except for Bubble Chic FR (Chichicastenango FR) who flew over from France with his French jockey Olivier Peslier with the hope of breaking his long-standing second-only jinx.
The three-year old dominated the race of 10 from the beginning and won 1¼ lengths over Dux Scholar (Oasis Dream) and Questioning (Elusive Quality USA) - both also three-year olds.
Bubble Chic's Italian trainer finally his impressive colt into the Winner's Circle by a quick trip to Newmarket.
©Posted October 9, 2011
Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum presented the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes awards to two-year-old Parish Hall's connections (left to right) jockey Kevin Manning, the Sheikh, PH's lad, trainer Jim Bolger, his wife Jackie and her friend. ©Photo Racing International
The newly-revised British fixture list awarded Newmarket Racecourse the first-ever Dubai Future Champions Day as an important part of the QIPCO British Champions Series concluding October 15 in the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot.
The day is sponsored by the Emirate Dubai of the UAE and will select outstanding future champions.
Its races also play an important role in selecting qualified juvenile horses for the Breeders' Cup.
Winners can boost chances for the First Season Sires Championship - especially for Baltic King, Cockney Rebel, Dark Angel, Dutch Art, Excellent Art, Lawman and Dark Angel, Cockney Rebel, and Teofilo - many of whose first crops were racing on Saturday.
The title is decided by the amount of money won by their racing offspring.
Despite cool and misty weather, over 9,018 attended selling out restaurants and hospitality boxes well in advance.
They were not disappointed with the high quality of racing which showcased six Group races with two Group 1s, two Group 2s and two Group 3s wrapped round the beloved Bedfred Cesarewitch (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2).
The races were run on fresh ground, unused since May, near the stand side and described as good to firm, fast, and loose on top by jockeys after the first race.
Sexist as it may be, the Group 1 two-year-old colts' races at 6f and 7f are the most prestigious - the Emaar Middle Park Stakes (£163,500 total prize money) and the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (£317,000 total prize money).
The Middle Park often produces sprinters like Dream Ahead in 2011.
The Dewhurst is considered one of the most important races on the British juvenile calendar as it often produces future Guineas and Derby winners like Frankel in 2011.
Given the form and breeding of the winner Parish Hall, there is no doubt he could be a major contender for 2012.
His sire Teofilo won the Dewhurst in 2006 and was so good that he was betting favourite for both the 2007 Guineas and Derby. Tragically, he was injured and retired to stud.
Impressive Parish Hall is from Teofilo's first crop and is a ringer for his sire (see photo and video link below).
In winning the Dewhurst, he has added £141,255 to his sire's earnings giving him a chance at the First Season Sires Championship.
Parish Hall is a homebred by Teofilo and out of Halla Siamsa IRE (Montjeu IRE). All are owned by Jackie Folger and trained by her husband - the famous Irish master trainer Jim Bolger.
Bolger has trained four winners of the Dewhurst: Teofilo in 2006, New Approach in 2007, Intense Focus in 2009 and Parish Hall.
Kevin Manning, who is the Bolger's son-in-law, rode all four Dewhurst winners.
All four colts raced in the same five races at two.
Teofilo and New Approach won all those races and were champion two-year olds.
New Approach won the Epsom Derby and was a close second in the 2000 Guineas.
Intense Focus failed to retain his juvenile form in two races at three and was retired.
Parish Hall has won two of his five career races, placed twice in second and eighth in one. His wins have been in top-of-the-ground races and he does not go on soft ground. Ireland has been very boggy this year.
His poor record on soft ground probably explains why he was only sent out at 20/1, but he had no trouble defeating the 11/4 favourite Power (Oasis Dream) by a ½ length in a thrilling finish with Most Improved, Bronterre and Trumpet Major by a head, ½ length and neck behind.
Factory Time was the next closest to the five in front at 2½ lengths followed by Spiritual Star who led in the beginning of the race, Red Duke and the rather inexperienced Ektihaam, owned by sponsor Sheikh Hamdan. He was given an easy time by jockey Richard Hills trailing in last.
The fair, straight course with its dips and rises is demanding on young horses and catches out the inexperienced.
Manning got his horse to pick up coming out of the dip to secure the rail. Parish Hall showed pure class and stamina in his victory going away from the rest at the post.
The Bolgers were delighted with their colt and had high hopes for two others, Janey Muddles IRE (Lawman FR) and Whip Rule IRE (Whipper USA) on the day. Neither won.
Bolger will rest his colt for the Winter and ready him for the Epsom and Irish Derbys. He feels Parish Hall will be better at greater distances like New Approach, but has not ruled out the one-mile Guineas.
One suspects that Bolger thinks Parish Hall to be even better than the champion New Approach.
Parish Hall IRE (Teofilo IRE). ©Photo Racing International
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92-ODLIEGro
The Emaar Middle Park Stakes, Group 1 (Class 1), 6f for two-year-old entire colts was won in a shocker by 25/1 Crusade USA (Mr Greeley USA).
The Ballydoyle second string to Reply IRE looked magnificent in the paddock and showed scope and speed to defeat Britain's leading trainer Richard Hannon's Lilbourne Lad by ¾ length with Reply in third by a head.
Neither 5/1 joint favourites Caspar Netscher nor France's Family One placed.
Whilst Lilbourne Lad will join his over-subscribed sire Acclamation at Rathberry Stud in Ireland at the end of the year, Crusade will move on to the United States for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Turf or Dirt.
His dam La Traviata USA, grandsire Mr Greeley and great-grandsire Johannesburg USA were all very fast.
The latter won the BC Juvenile on Turf and stands at Ashford Stud, Kentucky.
Crusade, winner of Emaar Middle Park Stakes, with jockey Seamus Heffernan and trainer Aidan O'Brien's son. ©Photo Racing International
The Vision.AE Rockfel Stakes, Group 2 (Class 1), 7f for 2yo fillies, should be raised to Group 1 level to attract the same level of female talent as the two Group 1 male races.
It would create greater prestige for the day if there were three Group 1 races for both sexes.
The Rockfel Stakes comes late in the season giving a chance to those females maturing later.
This race attracted a few exposed types like Regal Realm and Bana Wu as well as comers Alsindi, Pimpernel and Wading who dominated the betting.
Godolphin's Pimpernel IRE (Invincible Spirit IRE) went off 5/2 favourite with Ballydoyle's Wading IRE (Montjeu IRE) at 11/5.
In only her third race to Pimpernel's sixth, Wading took charge with authority winning by two lengths over her rival and Charlie Hills' pretty filly Gray Pearl (Excellent Art) in third by a head.
There was great disappointment for trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni who felt Pimpernel's little size doesn't help her and believes "she is good enough to run well there (Dubai) next year".
Sadly, we may not see her again in the England.
On the other hand, both Hills and Aidan O'Brien were pleased with their fillies.
O'Brien proudly spoke of Wading's speed, scope and "beauty". He asserted that he now has two outstanding two-year-old fillies in her and the season's leading winner Maybe.
He almost seemed to have a crush on Wading.
Wading has not worked with unbeaten Maybe, but "that doesn't say they won't but Maybe is finished for the season and this filly is just coming along."
She will be aimed at next year's Classics and is quoted at 10/1 for the 1000 Guineas.
She provided him with a double juvenile victory on the day following Crusade's 25/1 surprise in the Emaar Middle Park Stakes.
Wading accompanied by her jockey Ryan O'Neill and Ballydoyle team after winning the Vision.AE Rockfel Stakes. ©Photo Racing International
The Burj Khalifa Challenge Stakes, Group 2 (Class 1), 7f for 3yo+, was the opening race and provided a great card of eight starring Strong Suit USA (Rahy USA).
Richard Hannon's 13/8 favourite colt looked splendid in the paddock and let no one down with his 4½ length victory over Sir Henry Cecil's powerful filly Chachamaidee IRE (Footstepsinthesand).
She nosed out Sheikh Hamdan's speedy Maqaasid (Green Desert USA) in a photo finish for second. He is trained by John Gosden.
Chachamaidee may race at five, but Maqaasid is needed at Shadwell Stud.
Everyone had high hopes for Strong Suit early in the season until he flopped. It was discovered the that he had a breathing problem which was solved by surgery.
The handsome chestnut is back to his best with jockey Richard Hughes and will take on Goldikova in the Breeders' Cup Mile.
Hughes said "The Breeders' Cup Mile is made for him - rock hard ground and he goes left under pressure so we are going the right way."
Strong Suit was purchased by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's Qatar Bloodstock Ltd in August to compete in the Breeders' Cup and will retire to take up stallion duties at Redvers' Tweenhills Stud afterwards (unless Sheikh Fahad and his brothers who are co-owners change their minds).
Strong Suit is quoted between 7/2 to 5/1 for the BC Mile with Goldikova 2/1 favourite.
Hotwalking Strong Suit after his tour de force in the Burj Khalifa Challenge Stakes with Britain's top-earning trainer Richard Hannon in the background.
©Photo Racing International
The Betfred Cesarewitch (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2), 2m2f on the stands side Cesarewitch course for 3yo+ is one of Newmarket's favourite races.
The inimitable jockey Frankie Dettori and his four-year-old filly Never Can Tell IRE (Montjeu IRE) turn up a 25/1 upset ploughing a lone center course for this marathon race, drifting a bit, but wearing down the field of 33 others and leaving the favourites in the wilderness.
She came from the farthest Stall 36 with Dettori telling trainer Jaimie Osborne "Do me a favour, don't give me instructions."
Credit to Osborne for trusting the 500+ Group winner to figure out how to win a difficult race which he had never won in 25 years of trying.
Dettori said "We were drawn badly but with a front runner it is not a problem. I was able to get to the fence after a furlong. We cut the corner straight away and it went well from there."
"She is a great filly; she never let me down."
Osborne said "She's not very pretty or very big, but she tries and has a big heart. She has won two for Dr (Marwan) Koukash at Chester this year and scoots around those bends. She hates letting horses past her and she was doubling along there today with her ears pricked."
Racegoers were treated with a Dettori flying dismount for his win after 25 years of trying.
The Autumn Stakes, Group 3 (Class 1), run on the Rowley Mile for 2yo brought two-year-specialist trainer Richard Hannon his second success of the day.
Rochinante FR (Rock Of Gibraltar IRE), sent out at 8/1, brought down far more experienced favourites Perennial (Motivator) and Astrology IRE (Galileo IRE) by 1¾ and ½ lengths respectively.
Hannon asked to be credited with the ability to find good horses at minimum cost, but had no immediate plans for the juvenile.
Casual Hannon in black suit wraps up another victory with two-year-old Rockinante FR in The Autumn Stakes. ©Photo Racing International
Hannon and Aidan O'Brien won two races each on the Dubai Young Champions Day.
With Ireland's Jim Bolger and Italy's G Botti winning the final race, Jaime Osbourne was the only small-stable British trainer to win.
The Darley Stakes, Group 3 (Class 1), 1m1f on the Cambridgeshire course for 3yo+ drew an all-British race card except for Bubble Chic FR (Chichicastenango FR) who flew over from France with his French jockey Olivier Peslier with the hope of breaking his long-standing second-only jinx.
The three-year old dominated the race of 10 from the beginning and won 1¼ lengths over Dux Scholar (Oasis Dream) and Questioning (Elusive Quality USA) - both also three-year olds.
Bubble Chic's Italian trainer finally his impressive colt into the Winner's Circle by a quick trip to Newmarket.
©Posted October 9, 2011