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True Love powers to Queen Mary first for O’Brien

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True Love shed her maiden tag in style with victory in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, True Love had chased home Tuesday’s Coventry Stakes winner and stablemate Gstaad on her latest start and was duly sent off the 9-4 favourite.

True Love took some time to work her way into the race as Zelaina set a scorching early pace, but she stayed on to real effect in the final furlong to beat 100-1 shot Flowerhead, with Patrick Biancone’s American raider Lennilu third.

True Love looked the part
True Love looked the part (John Walton/PA)

It was win number 93 for O’Brien at the big meeting, although rather surprisingly his first in the Queen Mary.

He said: “She’s lovely and in her first run Ryan came in and said they won’t beat her again and then after her second run Wayne (Lordan) said the same thing, that they won’t beat her again, and then you have to consider the two that beat her (Lady Iman and Gstaad) are very good horses.

“Ryan gave her a beautiful ride and Michael (Tabor) has always loved her and always spoken about her. It’s great as her mother (Alluringly) is in foal to City Of Troy and her sister is in foal to Wootton Bassett so it’s marvellous really.

“She was drawn by herself and there was no pace where she was so she had to go and do her own work and that’s what Ryan did, he was excellent on her. She was probably strongest in the last half-furlong and when she got going she really powered away.

“Ryan said he was a little slow to step and a little on the back foot all the time and I think that’s why he was trying to stoke her up a bit, but late on she was really strong.

“She had to work really hard and the only place she was going to get company was out in the middle and Ryan did really well to let her go there. She was under the pump a long way out, but so strong at the line and is obviously high class.

“She’s like a four-year-old really and Ryan thought she would be better when she steps up to six furlongs and she’s a big, mature filly who walks around the ring like a four-year-old, she’s so scopey – she’s something to look forward to.”

On future plans, O’Brien added: “I think we look forward to going up in trip now, the lads will decide that. You would imagine she would have no problem going six furlongs, but she is No Nay Never and he’s a big speed influence always.

“The Queen Mary winner seems to always head to Deauville (Prix Morny) or the Curragh (Airlie Stud Stakes) and that would be the two races really or there is the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket in July. That may come too soon, but we will see how she is.”

Flowerhead on her way to post at Royal Ascot
Flowerhead on her way to post at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Flowerhead’s trainer Charlie Clover was thrilled to secure a Royal Ascot placing in his first full season with a licence.

He said: “This is a huge start for us, we were struggling away for the first few months but it’s really kicked into gear the past few weeks and it’s been a delight to see the whole team find their feet.

“It’s only a small team but it’s been massively welcome to see these horses run to form and I can’t thank (owner) Amo Racing enough, they’ve done so much for me and my career in helping me get off the ground.

“We liked her at home, we hoped she’d run a nice race but second was a bit of a dream. You can get greedy quite quickly and think you could have won it, who knows?

“I’m delighted to be in the frame and for her to run a big race for owners who are so important to me.”

Biancone plans to head back to America with Lennilu following her run, saying: “She’s only a baby.

“I liked the fact she was the first one off the bridle and she was there at the end, which means she will go a bit further and that is great. We’re happy, she fought all the way.

“We go home, we give her a break. The first plan was to try to bring her here which we did, she’s Grade Two placed now which is good. She’ll have a little vacation and we’ll see her in Del Mar.”

The Richard Hannon-trained Harry’s Girl was pulled up during the race and it was later confirmed the filly had sustained a fatal injury.

Detain team ‘excited’ to tackle Hampton Court challenge

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Classic form is to the fore in a hot renewal of the Hampton Court Stakes at Ascot on Thursday.

John and Thady Gosden’s Detain has come closest to big-race glory of the 14 runners as having run well in the French Guineas to be sixth, he stepped up on that to finish third in the French Derby.

“It was a huge run the last day and he was beaten three-quarters of a length which is very little,” said Barry Mahon of owners Juddmonte.

“We initially thought Ascot would come too soon, but he has bounced out of Chantilly well and John and Thady are both very happy with him.

“We would be excited to see him over the mile and a quarter again at a nice track and a little down in grade.”

Just behind him in the French Derby in fourth was Trinity College for Aidan O’Brien and the pair meet again, with just a quarter of a length to make up.

Representing British Classic form is Saeed bin Suroor’s Tornado Alert.

He outran his odds to finish fourth in the 2000 Guineas and was not disgraced when sixth of 18 in the Derby behind Lambourn.

“He came back well from the Derby and he’s in good form,” said Godolphin’s long-standing trainer.

“I think this race will suit him, a mile and a quarter looks a nice trip for him having run well over a mile and a mile and a half.

“This looked the right place to bring him, down in class a bit, having run well in the Guineas and the Derby.”

Two horses arrive on the back of just two runs, Andrew Balding’s High Stock, who won the Wood Ditton before finishing second in the Dee Stakes at Chester, and Roger Varian’s Jackknife.

He was an impressive winner on debut before finishing third in the Heron Stakes at Sandown.

“We’ve been very pleased with him, I was delighted with him in the Heron, he finished his race off really well after meeting a bit of trouble,” Varian told Sky Sports Racing.

“Oisin (Murphy) thought the step up to 10 furlongs and better ground would suit him. He’s a lovely horse, not only for this week but beyond.”

James Ferguson’s Glittering Legend made big strides in the spring and is another of note, along with William Haggas’ Arabian Force, who has seen his form boosted in recent days.

While the Ribblesdale Stakes perhaps lacks an established star, Paddy Twomey’s Catalina Delcarpio still has plenty of time to develop into one.

Unraced at two, she made a winning debut before being beaten into second in the Salsabil Stakes.

Twomey said: “We’re looking forward to the race. Catalina won well on debut and then ran well again in the Salsabil Stakes.

“She’s trained well since and we’re looking forward it.

“She’s run well in both her runs and she’s bred to be a middle-distance filly and we’re really looking forward to the race.”

The Balding-trained Serenity Prayer, second in the Musidora at York, has a similar profile.

In the Norfolk Stakes, O’Brien’s Charles Darwin is a short price to take his record to three out of four, although there are plenty of lively challengers.

Wathnan Racing are well represented with Karl Burke’s Naval Light, who caught the eye when second on debut, and Sandal’s Song, trained in America by George Weaver.

Of Naval Light, Wathnan’s Richard Brown said: “I think there will be much more to come and he fell out the stalls at Beverley and then was given the perfect ride for a debut by Sam James, who was very patient with him.

“Although the gaps didn’t come for him to win the race, when they did open and he gave him a small flick he started to fly and galloped out very strongly.”

Of Sandal’s Song, he added: “He won impressively at Gulfstream for the team who brought Crimson Advocate over to win a couple of years ago.

“He’s settled in well at the National Stud and we know these American raiders have to be taken seriously.”

Classy line-up assembled for Coronation Stakes

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Falakeyah and Zarigana top 11 contenders for Friday’s Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Owen Burrows-trained Falakeyah was supplemented for the mile Group One following an effortless Listed win in Newmarket’s Pretty Polly Stakes, with connections opting by bypass a possible French Oaks run in favour of dropping back from 10 furlongs here.

Francis-Henri Graffard’s Zarigana was crowned winner of the French 1000 Guineas in the ParisLongchamp stewards’ room following the demotion of Shes Perfect to second and she will clash again with fourth-placed Exactly, who is one of two for Aidan O’Brien along with January.

Ollie Sangster fields both Flight and Simmering, second and third in the 1000 Guineas, with Duty First, Kon Tiki, Cathedral, Cercene and Chantilly Lace completing the field.

The Commonwealth Cup has drawn a bumper field of 22, headed by 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light, who will be dropping back to six furlongs for Charlie Appleby.

Babouche, Jonquil, Whistlejacket, Ides Of March and Big Mojo are other leading names in the Group One contest, for which only Seattle was not declared.

The opening Albany Stakes boasts a 17-strong line up, with Karl Burke having made no secret of his regard for ante-post favourite Venetian Sun. Fitzella, Gold Digger and O’Brien’s Signora are also towards the head of the betting.

Derby seventh Green Storm and 12th Nightwalker bid for compensation in the King Edward VII Stakes, in which Ralph Beckett’s unbeaten gelding Amiloc is set to be a popular choice.

Puppet Master won the Lingfield Derby Trial but bypassed Epsom and he is one of two for O’Brien along with Naas winner Galveston. Dante third Wimbledon Hawkeye runs for James Owen, while the progressive Zahrann represents Johnny Murtagh.

Teumessias Fox heads a maximum 19-strong field for the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, with 28 to go to post in both the Palace of Holyrood House Stakes and the Sandringham.

Racing Bulletin for 18/06/2025

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Haatem shines with back-to-back Royal Ascot victories

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Haatem notched his second victory at Royal Ascot with a determined display in the Wolferton Stakes.

Placed in the English and Irish Guineas last season, Richard Hannon’s charge won the Jersey Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago, but was not seen in competitive action again until April.

Having finished fifth on his Sandown comeback and then fourth in a Listed event in France, Haatem (8-1) stepped up to a mile and a quarter and saw out the trip well to beat Galen by three-quarters of a length under James Doyle, with 4-1 favourite King’s Gambit – like the winner carrying the Wathnan Racing colours – a strong-finishing third.

Hannon said of Haatem: “He’s pleased everyone all the way through his career, especially me.

“He’s an amazing horse and a pleasure to be involved with, for old connections and new connections, and he’s one of those horses that makes you remember why you train horses.

“What did he cost, 27,000 guineas? And the best thing about racing is you can find these horses and they then win these big races.

“He worked in the week and it was the best piece of work he’s done all year and I thought ‘is this the right thing to do, upping him in trip, maybe we should stick to a mile?’.

“James said he’s loved it despite being a bit eager early and it’s not out of the question we come back to a mile, but he will probably turn up in the Eclipse (would need to be supplemented) and I could see him running very well in that.”

The Wathnan team and retained rider Doyle completed a quickfire double in the concluding Copper Horse Stakes, with John and Thady Gosden’s French Master flying home to delight favourite-backers.

Making his first outing since being bought by the Qatar-based owners and also sporting blinkers for the first time, the 5-2 market leader was nearer last than first at the top of the straight but was doing his best work at the finish and was two and a half lengths clear at the winning line.

The Gosdens were also completing a double following the spectacular earlier success of Field Of Gold in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Ascot Eyecatcher Reaching High will get his day in the sun

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There remains a big prize to be won with Reaching High, the royal runner who suffered a luckless passage in the Ascot Stakes.

Sent to Willie Mullins upon the retirement of Sir Michael Stoute by the King and Queen, the big meeting had understandably been his aim.

Draw one, though, Ryan Moore was always looking for a way out having been trapped on the rails, meaning he finished full of running in ninth. He is entered back at Ascot Saturday, but the Northumberland Plate would look a likely target.

Reaching High out of luck for the King and Queen in Ascot Stakes

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Hopes of a winner for the King and Queen were dashed on the opening day of Royal Ascot, as the well-fancied Reaching High finished a never-nearer ninth in the Ascot Stakes.

A first horse trained by Willie Mullins to carry the royal colours, Reaching High was the 11-4 favourite in the hands of Ryan Moore – but while he looked full of running rounding the home turn, he was all dressed up with nowhere to go against the rail and when he did eventually get out it was all too late.

Up front Henry de Bromhead’s fellow Irish raider Ascending (20-1) knuckled down under Billy Lee in the concluding stages of the two-and-a-half-mile contest to beat Nurburgring, with the latter’s trainer Joseph O’Brien also saddling the third and fourth home in Comfort Zone and Leinster.

Queen Camilla watches the Ascot Stakes
Queen Camilla watches the Ascot Stakes (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Mullins said: “Ryan just said he got no run. He’s finished full of running, but just got no luck in running, so it’s disappointing.

“Their Majesties are very easy, lovely people to train for and it’s a pleasure. There’s a bit more pressure when you train one for them at this meeting, but to bring one here with a real chance is what we like to do. Hopefully this fellow will show us how good he is at some stage later in the season.”

Mullins added: “Poniros (17th) was probably a little too keen and had run his race before he got to the straight, so it’s back to the drawing board with him.”

As for the winner, De Bromhead explained the Ascot Stakes was not even his first choice.

Ascending held off Nurburgring
Ascending held off Nurburgring (David Davies/PA)

“I’m delighted. I wanted to go for the mile and six (Copper Horse Stakes), I thought he had a great chance but he didn’t get in so we ran in this one and now we’ve won – happy days,” said De Bromhead.

“He’s just a star. He was bought to go hurdling and he ran very well over hurdles but he never really loved it, so we said we’d go back on the Flat.

“I think we’ll stay on the Flat, he seems to love it so I think we should.

“Billy opted to go out and get a bit of light, the horse travelled beautifully and he gave him a super ride. He knew he had a kick so he used the kick a bit earlier than he had planned.

“It’s amazing to win any of these races, we’re fortunate enough to train good horses. We’re very lucky.”

No King Charles repeat for Asfoora but still rest of the summer to look forward to

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Henry Dwyer is looking forward to another summer campaign on British turf with Asfoora, after his Australian speedster put up a creditable defence of her crown in the King Charles III Stakes.

The six-year-old scorched the Berkshire turf to emerge victorious at Royal Ascot 12 months ago before going on to finish a close second in the King George at Goodwood and fourth in the Nunthorpe at York.

Return trips to the Sussex Downs and the Knavesmire appear to be on the agenda for Dwyer’s pride and joy who having been fitted with blinkers for the first time, was beaten around two lengths under Oisin Murphy, with the judge unable to split her and Kerdos in joint-fifth place.

Dwyer said said: “The horse did everything right, Oisin was just of the opinion we got stuck on the wrong part of the track.

“Us and Believing never really got into the race. Even though she loomed at the 150-metre mark like she had a fair chance, she probably just felt the pinch for having to do a fair bit to get into the race.

“She’s run a good, honest race and certainly hasn’t run poorly and we’ll stick on with the plan here like last summer. There’s not much for us at home so it will be Goodwood, York and beyond hopefully.”

Asfoora beat Regional and Believing into second and fourth place last year, but while Ed Bethell’s Regional again ran a stormer to place third this time around, the George Boughey-trained 3-1 favourite Believing was well held in 11th.

Bethell said: “He’s an amazing horse. He’s taken his owners on an amazing journey and I’m hugely appreciative of the horse and Callum (Rodriguez). Obviously I would have loved to win, but this is horse racing and the winner and second were faster than us and that’s the bottom line.

“We’ll keep kicking and try to win another big one somewhere. I entered him in the Prix Maurice de Gheest and I would like to go there – a flat six furlongs at Deauville on some nice ground would probably play to his strengths and then we’d like to go to the Sprint Cup (at Haydock).

“He’s a legend and we’re just very lucky to have him, I’m over the moon. Well done to Jim Goldie and Paul Mulrennan (trainer and rider of winner American Affair), they deserve a win like this, they’ve been in the game a long time and fair play to them.”

Believing, who broke her Group One duck in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on her previous start, is now in-foal to Frankel and it remains to be seen whether she will race on or be retired.

Boughey said: “There’s a little bit of we were on the wrong side and we were quite aggressive out the gate with her, but Ryan (Moore) thinks she possibly ran the race a little back to front.

“She looked to be going well with a couple of furlongs to go and the horse next to her (Kerdos) kept getting pushed to the side. She’s run with credit, it just wasn’t to be today and the race happened a long way away from her.

“It will be a Coolmore decision (whether she continues to race) and they will make the call. We’ll have a chat and see how she comes out of the race, that is the main thing. She’s got plenty of time left and is only recently in-foal, but it will be the owners’ decision.”

A neck second to American Affair at 28-1 was Frost At Dawn, whose trainer William Knight said: “A huge run and not unexpected, I thought she would run very well. I thought the stiff five furlongs really suited her and it’s just annoying to not get the win.

“I’ve always had belief in this horse and campaigned her aggressively in that sense and we’ll continue to do so. I think she’s run a blinder there today and we’ll stick at five furlongs – that’s her trip.

“We’ll go to Goodwood and York and follow that five-furlong Pattern and maybe try to get back to Del Mar and this time run in the turf race, which we’ll hopefully get into this time. “

Field Of Gold sparkles with decisive St James’s Palace strike

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Field Of Gold lit up the first day of Royal Ascot with a dominant display in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

John and Thady Gosden’s colt had been a fast-finishing second behind Ruling Court in the 2000 Guineas before easily winning the Irish equivalent, while the French Guineas winner Henri Matisse was also running.

There was no doubt who emerged as the best of the three though, as Colin Keane breezed through on the 8-11 favourite before bursting clear to beat Henri Matisse by three and a half lengths, with Ruling Court back in third.

Field Of Gold has now charted the same route as his sire Kingman, who also suffered defeat at Newmarket before gaining Irish redemption and adding Royal Ascot glory when trained by John Gosden.

Field Of Gold returns to the Ascot winner's enclosure
Field Of Gold returns to the Ascot winner’s enclosure (John Walton/PA)

“Like father, like son,” said Gosden, in reference to Kingman’s win in 2014. “The nerves may have got to the trainer beforehand but thankfully not to the horse or the jockey.

“It was great, a great performance and Oisin (Murphy) did a nice job on Windlord setting an even pace and he came to the head of the straight and he had a lot of horse.

“For a moment I was thinking ‘whoops, this is Ascot and it climbs and have we gone a bit soon’. I wasn’t watching him, I was looking back as you always have to do here, but fortunately none of the dangers were coming to get him.

“He always impressed as a two-year-old but he was a big boy and slightly outgrew himself. We ran him in France which was a mistake in itself and I should have run him in the Dewhurst and I regret that. But this year he has been exemplary in everything he has done and he’s a pleasure to train because he is a pretty relaxed character.”

Gosden admitted the Irish 2,000 Guineas had not originally been part of Field Of Gold’s intended campaign, which could influence where the colt heads next.

He added: “It was never the plan to go to Ireland and he’s had a trial and two Guineas and now this which is a lot of racing and we’re not even halfway through the season yet.

“Maybe (we’ll) freshen him up now and go to the Sussex, but we will see. If we hadn’t gone to Ireland, I would have been keen to go to the Eclipse.

“When they win like that and make it look easy they do take a lot out of themselves and I don’t want to be someone seen running him back quick in an Eclipse straight off the back of this.”

Colin Keane celebrates after Field Of Gold's breathtaking win
Colin Keane celebrates after Field Of Gold’s breathtaking win (David Davies/PA)

For Juddmonte’s new retained rider it capped a fine first week in the hot seat for the Abdullah family, with the six-time Irish champion in no doubt he is in a privileged position, handed the reins to an exceptional talent.

Keane said: “He’s a special horse and I’m lucky enough to join this team and to have a horse like him early on is amazing. I’ve had nothing compared to this and it’s very special.

“He just proved what he did at the Curragh wasn’t a mistake and it’s similar to revving a motorbike, when you ask him it’s instant.

“Without a doubt he’s the best I’ve ridden. The next best would be Siskin who was in the same colours, but this lad is a level above, he’s very special.

“I’m in a very privileged position to be in these colours and getting a horse like him is unbelievable.

“I wasn’t nervous, but there was plenty of anticipation and it was a very good renewal of the race. It was three Guineas winners taking each other on, but he’s won like a very good horse.

“Ideally I would have liked to have been carried further into the race as he will only do so much once he got there. I didn’t want to be a sitting duck there for them to catch me, but once he quickened up I thought they will do well to catch me.

“I couldn’t wish for a better start, but when you’re riding for this operation and this is the quality of horse you get, these are the opportunities you get and it’s very special but also a bit of relief.

“He’s following in the right footsteps and he just seems to be a horse who is getting better with racing and you can see the way he relaxes now. I’m just the man fortunate enough to be stepping in on him at the right time.”

The writing was on the wall early for Ruling Court who never looked likely to confirm form with Field Of Gold.

“William (Buick) said he was never really travelling comfortably and at this level you need to be able to get up there and travel on the bridle to give your horse a breather,” said Charlie Appleby.

“It might be a bit too soon to say we’ll be looking at an Eclipse but working back from the Juddmonte will be the most likely target.”

Aidan O’Brien indicated Henri Matisse would likely stick at a mile.

American Affair takes ‘magical’ King Charles sprint glory for Scotland

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Scottish challenger American Affair finished best to land the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot for Jim Goldie and Paul Mulrennan.

Successful in valuable handicaps at Musselburgh and York, the five-year-old was perhaps unfortunate not to finish closer than he did when fifth in the Temple Stakes at Haydock and was an 11-1 chance for this Group One debut.

Settled in midfield as the likes of Regional and Night Raider blazed a trail, American Affair was produced with his challenge inside the final two furlongs and found plenty for pressure to get the better of a protracted duel with Frost At Dawn by a neck.

Lanarkshire-based Goldie said: “I’ve trained the family for two generations, so it’s very sweet.

“He’s just getting faster, we went seven furlongs at Wetherby in his maiden, we’ve learnt to run him over the right trip, we took him back to five and he’s just getting better and better.

“I was quite confident he could do it today, he had the talent, we got it wrong at Haydock. I knew he was probably one of the fastest horses in the race, but it’s how you control that. We’ve come down a day early and got him relaxed and it all fell into place. It means a lot.

“You’re never sure, but I could see he was travelling well. He’s just getting faster and faster, we trained his family and they were the same – they just got quicker.

“We brought him here yesterday to settle him in and it’s all worked out perfectly. It’s just terrific.

“Paul really believed in this horse and we knew he had it in him. It’s magical, he’s a very good horse.

“We’re living the dream, so to speak. To win here is probably a career highlight. Well, it’s not ‘probably’, is it? It’s definitely a career highlight.”

Mulrennan added: “I was just saying there, at this stage of my career I’ve probably got more years behind me than I have in front of me, it’s extra special.

“It’s hard enough to get rides here, it’s nice to come down here and have a ride, to win a Group One here is very special and Jim’s been very good to me the last few years.

“He’s a master trainer at tweaking around with these horses and he can really, with the ammunition he has, he can get the best out of them on the big day.”

John McGrandles, breeder and part-owner, said: “He’s probably the only horse here with a Glasgow postcode in his passport!

“I’ve been involved with horses since I was six. My wife is a veterinary surgeon – and we’re off to the Highland Show tomorrow with sheep!

“This horse is the biggest winner we’ve had, yes. And the horse’s stable name is Charlie and he’s won the King Charles!”

Dettori to ride at Ascot again in the future? ‘Never say never’

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Frankie Dettori has not ruled out riding at Royal Ascot again at some point in the future, as he attended the opening day of the 2025 meeting as a spectator.

The 54-year-old left the UK riding ranks in 2023 when he initially announced his retirement only to reverse that decision and begin a new life in America.

Speaking to ITV Racing, the Italian said: “I’m good, I flew here on Sunday after riding in Kentucky, it’s my daughter’s birthday, you know I love Royal Ascot.

“I still have the little devil in my ear saying ‘one more time’. When I was driving here I was thinking how I missed it so much.

“Never say never, at the moment I didn’t think it was appropriate to do it but who knows in the future. It’s nice to be here and it’s amazing racing through the week.

“I’ve got a different vibe today as I’m usually stressed out thinking about the racing but I’m seeing it from the other side of the fence.

“I’m all good at the moment, but there’s a little tear in my eye that I’m not riding. Never say never!

“America is a new challenge to me, it’s all new and at this stage of my career I’m having to prove myself again, it’s a new experience”

Ascot heartbreak for Hannon as Rosallion just eclipsed

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Richard Hannon was left to reflect on a “horrible” nose defeat for stable star Rosallion in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

A narrow winner of the St James’s Palace Stakes on this day 12 months ago, the son of Blue Point finished a promising third on his return from almost a year off the track in the Lockinge at Newbury last month and was a 5-2 favourite to claim his fourth career Group One win under Sean Levey.

Rosallion quickened up smartly down the outside of the field to ensure he reversed the form with the two that finished in front of him at Newbury – Lead Artist and Dancing Gemini – but having looked likely to pick up Docklands late on, the latter battled back to claim the narrowest of victories.

Hannon said: “It hurts, it does and it should. But he’s beaten an awful lot of champions and hit the front and just got done on the line.

“It’s horrible, but no one has died and he’s run a great race. He’s still a top-class miler and I really thought he had it.

“It was an unbelievable race and he’s done everything bar win, he’s done us proud and we’re delighted.”

Considering plans for later in the summer, the trainer added: “He could go to the Sussex or all of those mile races and that might be a sweeter day. Goodwood could be next and a mile is still his distance.

“All went fine and he’s ran a fantastic race. He beat all those horses that were in the Lockinge Stakes, but just found one too good. But we’re very pleased.”

Cairo finished third in the Queen Anne at 100-1
Cairo finished third in the Queen Anne at 100-1 (Adam Morgan/PA)

Just under two lengths behind Rosallion in third place was Cairo, who was sent off a 100-1 shot for Alice Haynes.

Haynes said: “That was absolutely fantastic and three furlongs out I started to get really interested. He’s been in fantastic form at home and maybe he won’t win a Group One, but he deserves to win a nice race as he keeps knocking on the door.

“He’s ran the race of his life there and he will probably head off to America. We’ll go to (the) Arlington (Million at Colonial Downs in August) and do a bit of a tour and he can run in the Grade Ones out there.

“A mile or 10 furlongs on quick ground is what he loves and there’s plenty of money he can be picking up.”

Charlie Appleby bemoaned the lack of a clear run for last season’s 2000 Guineas and Sussex hero Notable Speech, whose rider William Buick dropped his whip after switching to the far side of the track on his way to a fourth-placed finish.

“It was a bit of a messy race, but fair play to the winner, well done to them,” said the Moulton Paddocks handler.

“For ourselves, I think it was clear for all to see what happened. We would all love to sit there and say what jockeys should and shouldn’t do, but it’s easy for us to say that from a bird’s eye view.

“He’s ran a great race, could I say he’s unlucky? I can say he’s unlucky in the way the race has panned out and in the end he couldn’t get there, but you could see it developing in that way.”

Notable Speech could drop back in trip later in the season, with his trainer adding: “William said sometimes is he really a true miler? He travels for fun and he could easily come back to seven furlongs. The race that is tailor-made for him is the City Of York Stakes now that is a Group One.

“We’ve got that and the Sussex Stakes which he won last year as options and a easier run mile there would suit him as well.”

Gstaad records sizzling Coventry Stakes success

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Gstaad blew the Coventry Stakes field apart to give Aidan O’Brien an 11th win in the Royal Ascot feature.

Sent off the 7-2 favourite and drawn on the near side, his group appeared to be behind for much of the way before Ryan Moore sent him towards the centre of the track with two furlongs to run.

It never really looked in doubt from there and he came home three lengths clear of 80-1 outsider Do Or Do Not on the far side, with Coppull third at 66-1.

O’Brien said: “I’m absolutely delighted and he looks a very good horse, doesn’t he – you don’t win the Coventry like that often and he was visually very good.

“We’ve always loved him and he’s only had the one run, obviously, but has always worked like a good horse. This was the first horse Ryan rode when he came over in January or February time and he was highly thought of then.

“He’s big, he’s scopey and goes with his head down and is very genuine and he looks like he will get further than six. He has all the attributes.

“I’d imagine we would go for a Group One now and the Prix Morny is what they usually do after winning this.”

The long-time favourite for this race was Gstaad’s stablemate Albert Einstein before he suffered a setback earlier this month, ruling him out of the meeting.”

Comparing his winner to the potential star confined to barracks at Ballydoyle, O’Brien added: “Albert Einstein was always something very different and a very quick horse, incredibly quick from the day we worked him.

“Gstaad is a big horse who travels well and with lots of speed. We always thought this was a top-tier horse alongside Albert, but your man was just so fast it was different.”

Of Do Or Do Not, Ed Walker said: “I’m quite surprised, to be honest! The Coventry is not a race I thought I’d be winning anytime soon, but fair play to Simon (Sadler, owner) he felt like rolling the dice.

“I was quite happy to go and find a forty grand novice at Carlisle, but he ran an absolute blinder and I’m really proud of him. He’s a tough horse.”

Docklands denies Rosallion in Queen Anne thriller

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Docklands narrowly got the better of Rosallion in a thrilling climax to the Queen Anne Stakes.

A strong field of 10 runners went to post for the traditional Royal Ascot curtain-raiser, with the market dominated by the first four home in last month’s Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Rosallion, who finished third at Newbury, was the 5-2 favourite to get back on the winning trail and looked set to oblige after being produced with a well-timed run by Sean Levey, but having been last out of the starting stalls before fighting his way to the front, Harry Eustace’s 14-1 shot Docklands refused to bend under Australian jockey Mark Zahra and clung on by a nose.

Cairo, who was sent off a 100-1 shot, was a further length and three-quarters back in third.

Docklands boasts a fine record at Ascot having won twice and placed four times, including when chasing home Charyn in this event 12 months ago – a run which persuaded Eustace to have another crack at the prize this year.

The trainer said: “I know everyone says this but I don’t know if it will sink in for a bit! There were a lot of nerve-wracking moments during the race, I have to say.

“I wasn’t happy with the pace early on, he did his usual thing and was a step slow and I kept cursing him. But he’s an absolute star, he loves this racetrack and because they went slow, they probably got racing a bit further out.

“It’s very special. When he was second here, we knew we were coming back for another go.

“At the furlong marker I thought Rosallion was really coming to us, but he was so brave in that last furlong. He has been frustrating, but only because I’ve felt he maybe deserved to win the odd race that he should have done, but luckily he loves this track.”

Docklands returns to the Ascot winner's enclosure
Docklands returns to the Ascot winner’s enclosure (PA)

Docklands is owned by the Australian group OTI Racing and had previously been ridden by Zahra when unplaced in last year’s Hong Kong Mile, with Richard Kingscote partnering him in two British starts this term.

Explaining Zahra’s booking, Eustace added: “It’s just all come together, as racing does, it all happened well. I feel for Richard Kingscote who has been on him the last couple of times – there’s no drama there, it’s just that Mark has had this lined up for a little while.

“In a curious way, he got trapped in a pocket at Epsom and didn’t have a hard race, and came here spot on. I’m glad he got beat at Epsom and won at Ascot.

“There were multiple Group One winners in there, the Guineas winners from last year, we were the most exposed horse probably, but he loves the track. That’s a big, big plus – and he tries bloody hard!”

Zahra admitted his Royal Ascot ride was a stop-off en route to a planned holiday in Ibiza, but the Australian pilot was delighted to make his mark at the world-famous fixture.

He said: “He just kept finding, he’s a very tough horse and he obviously loves this track. Harry’s done a great job and no better feeling in the world.

“Hearing all the Aussies over the fence, even though the horse is English you’d have thought he was Aussie by all the screams. What an amazing experience for unbelievable people.

“He’s (Harry Eustace) been pumping me up the whole way. I just started this meeting for a trip on the way to Ibiza, so for it to turn into a massive win like this is just very special. The closer we got the more he filled me with confidence and he was right.

“Both his runs this season have been really good. I rode him in Hong Kong and just looking at him in the field, he’s a completely different horse today.”

Fallen Angel aiming to get back on right path in Cambridge

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Fallen Angel is expected to take a big leap forward from her comeback run in the Lockinge when she returns to fillies-only company in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes on Wednesday.

The Too Darn Hot filly was sixth of eight runners at Newbury as a route towards the Royal meeting was plotted by trainer Karl Burke.

Richard Brown, racing adviser to owners Wathnan Racing, believes the four-year-old will benefit from that outing and said: “This has been the plan for a long time with her and she ran a very nice comeback race in the Lockinge, so we were delighted with that.

“We don’t really think she is a spring filly and Karl says she just takes time to come to herself, she is not a great work filly at home so it can be hard to judge her. But he seems very happy with her now.

“Her last piece of work was good and she has come fully in her coat now, which wasn’t the case at Newbury, and last year we saw she got beat in the English Guineas before bouncing back to win in Ireland.

“I think she will definitely have improved for the run and she is a gorgeous filly who we can’t wait to see run.”

Wathnan also own the John and Thady Gosden-trained Crimson Advocate who has improved since stepping up in trip and Brown said: “She will also go and won the Queen Mary at the meeting two years ago. She’s been very good and consistent since stepped up to a mile and I’m sure she will run an admirable race as well, she never lets us down.”

Elmalka was second behind Cinderella’s Dream in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket last month and trainer Roger Varian will drop her back in trip having taken in the Prix d’Ispahan last time out.

Varian told Sky Sports Racing: “I thought she ran really well in the Dahlia Stakes, it was a good renewal. I then ran her in the d’Ispahan against the colts and in hindsight maybe that was the wrong thing to do but the winner (Sosie) was supplemented at the last minute, none of us had an idea he’d be running.

“She wasn’t quite good enough against strong colts but she still ran well and it made my mind up that she’s a miler, so we’re taking the positives.

“It will be quite tough to turn the form around with Cinderella’s Dream as she was impressive that day but Elmalka is a good filly in her own right.”

Varian has had to bide his time with My Cloud but is confident he can take another step forward in the Royal Hunt Cup.

He said: “He’s a lovely horse, he’s always been a nice horse but he’s been late-developing, so we’ve had to be patient. He’s won some nice races this year, in fairness it probably wasn’t much of a race at Ascot that he won but he did well to win at Newbury on Lockinge day.”

Michael Bell will be double handed with Greek Order and Tony Montana and believes both horses can give a good account of themselves.

Bell said: “Greek Order is an interesting horse having just come over from America.

“He looks as if he is on a very competitive mark and I think the draw (30) looks all right given that the principles in the betting are drawn next to him.

“Tony Montana is a very, very consistent, likeable horse.”

Paddy Twomey’s Carmers will put his unbeaten record on the line as he steps up to Group Two company in the Queen’s Vase.

Twomey said: “Carmers is a nice horse, he made his debut at the start of May and he won nicely at Ballinrobe and stepped up markedly a week later in the Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan.

“We’ve had this race in mind for a while. I don’t think any of the other horses in the race have won at a mile and six and I think he will handle the trip.”

Old Is Gold impressed in winning at Beverley for Andrew Balding before being acquired by Wathnan and Brown is not worried about the step up in grade in the Windsor Castle Stakes.

He said: “I liked his run at Ascot and I like that he has course form.

“He was then impressive at Beverley and of course with our Naval Light (runs in the Norfolk), who we hold in high regard in second, it made sense to take that run very seriously.”

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