Tag Archive for: Jim Crowley

Al Aasy grabs Gordon Richards glory

Al Aasy came from last to first to claim top honours in the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown.

The William Haggas-trained veteran was a 15-2 shot for his seasonal reappearance as he went in search of a seventh Group Three success and a 10th career victory overall.

Dropped out last for much of the 10-furlong contest by Jim Crowley, Al Aasy began to edge closer racing inside the final two furlongs before quickening up smartly to beat the front-running Ancient Wisdom by half a length.

Maureen Haggas, assistant to her husband, said: “I think Jim has got the hang of him now and gave him a beautiful ride. He just waited and waited and the mile-and-a-quarter pace suited him well.

“I was worried he might be a bit fresh today as he has been quite fresh at home, but he was immaculate through the race and Jim just waited and gave him a beautiful ride – it was perfect.

“We knew he was in good form and he’s looked great all winter and if you could have a yard full of horses like Al Aasy and Hamish, then you would be laughing.”

With Ancient Wisdom joined on the front end by his stablemate Arabian Crown, Al Aasy got the strong pace he craves on his first start as an eight-year-old, allowing Crowley to bide his time.

Maureen Haggas was delighted with Al Aasy's comeback victory
Maureen Haggas was delighted with Al Aasy’s comeback victory (Mike Egerton/PA)

The only filly in the field, Andrew Balding’s 11-4 favourite See The Fire, loomed up looking a big threat, but her challenge petered out when it mattered, whereas Al Aasy – who was narrowly denied a Group One win by Pyledriver in the 2021 Coronation Cup – swooped late to emerge victorious.

“He’d shown quite a bit (of talent) before he was gelded, but he also showed quite a few unattractive traits and he liked the girls too much and wasn’t really concentrating on what he was doing,” Haggas added.

“He needed gelding and he’s now paying us back for looking after him in his earlier years and he’s just a lovely horse to have about.”

On a potential second tilt at the Coronation Cup, she said: “I don’t know if we’d head back to Epsom. I actually meant to say to William to put Hamish (second to Luxembourg last year) in that race as by then it’s bound to have rained.

“It could be an option for Al Aasy, but we will go for whatever there is around that is a mile and a quarter or mile and a half that suits.”

Anmaat offers Champion redemption for Crowley

Two years on from what Jim Crowley described as “probably the hardest defeat” of his career on Baaeed in the Qipco Champion Stakes, he gained some form of redemption when delivering Anmaat with a blistering turn of foot.

The William Haggas-trained Baaeed was supposed to simply turn up and win, such was his superiority.

Unbeaten through the first 10 races of his career, Baaeed was sent off the 1-4 favourite but on testing ground could finish only fourth.

While Crowley was sporting the same blue and white Shadwell colours, Anmaat hails from the Owen Burrows yard – a trainer who might not have the strength in numbers of some of his contemporaries but has proven time and again that given the ammunition, he is as good as anyone.

Anmaat is now six but injury has restricted him to just 15 races, and his most recent in France was the first time he had finished outside the first three.

Because of that he was sent off an unconsidered 40-1 shot and when Crowley had nowhere to go with just over a furlong to run, his chance looked all but gone.

However, he found a gap and Anmaat quickened up incredibly well given the testing ground to beat the 6-4 favourite Calandagan by half a length.

Jim Crowley punches the air as Anmaat crosses the line
Jim Crowley punches the air as Anmaat crosses the line (Nigel French/PA)

“I don’t think any horse in the race could have done what he has done,” enthused Crowley.

“I’m not being biased, but the only horse I have had do that with me before is Mohaather in the Sussex Stakes. It was the same sort of feeling and to pick up on that ground was unreal.

“It’s a small bit of redemption for Baaeed and that is probably the hardest defeat I have ever had in my life, it really hit me. To come back and win the Champion Stakes on this horse is fantastic.

“We had a great position throughout and through no one’s fault, the horses in front of me just stopped and I was just stuck. He would have been a very unlucky loser and it was an extraordinary performance.

“I don’t think it was anyone’s fault where we were, he had taken me well into the race. It was extraordinary to get that gap at that late stage of the race and it was great.”

Nakheel gallops on gamely to plunder Park Hill spoils

The unexposed Nakheel took full advantage of her weight allowance to hold off the consistent Night Sparkle in the Betfred Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster.

Trained by Owen Burrows, the three-year-old was still a maiden when the season started and has been steadily improving in Pattern company since.

She finished a four-length third to Scenic in the Galtres Stakes at York’s Ebor meeting, but looked much more at home stepping up another two furlongs in trip.

Jim Crowley chose to make his challenge down the inside, which had been shunned in the previous race, but it did not make a difference.

Ryan Moore briefly looked to be holding all the aces on Grateful after Sumo Sam, last year’s winner, began to backpedal, but when stamina was at a premium, Grateful was found wanting.

Nakheel (10-1), sporting first-time cheekpieces, made her bid for home and had enough in the locker to hold off Night Sparkle by a length and a half.

Burrows said: “Watching her at York last time, we thought the trip would help, certainly a bit of ease in the ground would help and I think the cheekpieces have helped a bit as well.

“She’s not ungenuine by a long way, but they just helped her travel a bit further and sharpened her up.

“She’s been coming up through Listed races and getting placed, we thought this would be an obvious spot for her and it’s worked out great.

“She came off the bridle a fraction turning in but she came straight back on, so I knew then we still had plenty of petrol in the tank and I thought she would certainly stay on right to the line.

“We haven’t got any fancy entries, but she’s progressing nicely and we’ll speak to Sheikh Ahmed about where we go from here.

“From a trainer’s point of view, I’d love to have her back as a four-year-old, in which case I’m not sure we need to do anything else this year.

“We’re getting to know her and she’s still lightly-raced, so we’ll see.”

Al Aasy sneaks through for Glorious triumph

Al Aasy overcame a troubled passage to claim top honours in the Coral Glorious Stakes at Goodwood.

The William Haggas-trained gelding was a 3-1 shot to claim his fifth victory at Group Three level, with Karl Burke’s Aimeric the marginal favourite at 5-2.

Al Aasy, who came close to Group One glory when narrowly beaten by Pyledriver in the 2021 Coronation Cup, was travelling comfortably best of the five-strong field as the race hotted up, but was all dressed up with nowhere to go a furlong out in the hands of Jim Crowley.

However, just when another Goodwood hard-luck story was being written, a gap opened up on the far rail and Crowley’s mount quickened up smartly to take it and he was ultimately well on top as he passed the post with a length in hand over Relentless Voyager.

Phantom Flight was a neck further behind in third, with Aimeric a little disappointing in fourth.

“It was a messy race,” said Crowley. “We went very steady, which we knew we would. I got a bit closer at the top of the hill and then I was quite happy when he was in a pocket.

“William said to ride him for luck and if it opens up, it opens up. We just needed that gap and I was very fortunate to have got up the rail.

“There wasn’t a lot of room up the rail and, in fairness to the horse, he was very brave. Once he was in there, it was game over really.

“He’s just as good over 10 furlongs as he is over a mile and a half. He has been a bit unlucky because that’s his run style.

“Obviously, he has been called a few names in the past for not being a battler. He is just one of those horses who has to be produced at the last minute.

“William said if you get beat riding for luck, it’s one of those things. When a trainer says that to you, it takes the pressure off a little bit.”

Angus Gold was pleased to see Al Aasy resume winning ways
Angus Gold was pleased to see Al Aasy resume winning ways (Mike Egerton/PA)

Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell, added: “It was always going to be a hard race for Jim to ride because William is adamant that this horse likes to have something to aim at and he doesn’t want him making the running or being too handy.

“We knew there wasn’t going to be much pace and you need all the luck to go with you on those occasions.

“As Jim said, they slowed it up coming up the hill, so he didn’t want to be single file sitting out the back if they quickened, so he let him slide up the inside but then you are in the hands of good fortune and the racing Gods, particularly here.

“The horse has still got the class and luckily when he did squeeze through, he quickened up and doesn’t even know he’s had a race.

“William has always had a huge opinion of the horse. People keep knocking him but he’s won nearly £400,000 and I wouldn’t mind a few more like that.”

Karl Burke continues good run with Chantilly success

Karl Burke was on the board at Chantilly on Sunday when Arabie surged to a taking success in the Prix du Bois.

The son of Dandy Man was second at Thirsk on debut but soon got off the mark on his second start at York last month.

Now stepped up to Group Three level, he follows in the footsteps of Royal Ascot bound Ramatuelle and Andre Fabre’s Belbek who have won this for the past two seasons.

Always in a handy position in the hands of Jim Crowley, Arabie was soon fighting things out with French hope Daylight at the head of proceedings and after kicking clear of the market leader, had plenty in reserve to run out a handy winner.

“It went smoothly and I rode him at York last time and he took a step forward,” said Crowley, who was banned in the UK on Sunday, but with it being a Group One day in France was able to scoop a valuable race overseas.

“He’s a lovely stamp of an individual and he was always doing just enough in front. He got there quite easily and he then sort of just found himself in front and just doing enough.

“He’s a lovely type of horse and hopefully he will keep progressing.”

Elsewhere on the French Oaks day card, Jean-Claude Rouget’s Delius maintained his unbeaten record with a stylish victory in the Group Three Prix du Lys Longines.

The Coolmore-owned son of Frankel holds entries for both the Grand Prix de Paris and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and his rider Christophe Soumillon was impressed with his mount.

He told Sky Sports Racing: “I didn’t have a nice draw but Jean-Bernard (Roth, assistant to Rouget) asked me to give him a nice run in the middle of the pack depending on the pace.

“He jumped well out of the gates and I had to find my position after 700 metres in the race and once he was settled into the race he was really relaxed.

“He was a bit unbalanced in the last turn and when I asked him to come on the bridle he was still a bit green and is a very immature horse.

“The way he quickened was quite amazing and I think he has everything under his belt to get a Group One win soon I’m sure.

“The Grand Prix de Paris could be good depending on how he returns home, but for me he deserves to go there, he is a very nice horse. He’s tall and very good mentally, he was still a bit green today but I think he has a brilliant future in front of him.”

Crystal delights after charging to Jorvik triumph

A return to York in August is likely to be top of the agenda for Crystal Delight after he benefited from a fine front-running ride from Jim Crowley in the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Stakes.

With the winner guaranteed a spot in the £500,000 Ebor later in the summer, competition is always hot in the mile-and-a-half contest, but Crowley dominated it from pillar to post.

Raised 9lb after an easy win at Epsom under similar tactics, he has taken his form to a new level since joining Harry Eustace from the retired William Jarvis.

Sent off the 18-5 favourite, Crowley was handed an easy time on the front end and while Kihavah did his best to chase him down in the straight, Crystal Delight was not for catching and had pulled four and three-quarter lengths clear by the time he passed the line.

Another hefty rise from the handicapper surely awaits, but the five-year-old is clearly on the crest of a wave.

Eustace said: “If you’d envisaged a way for the race to be run that was it and I thought the draw (stall 10) was a help as it gives you the space and the time to go where you want. Once he got the lead, he just got into a lovely rhythm and he’s all about rhythm this horse.

“At the start of the year I thought a mile and six would be within his remit and the Ebor is certainly on the radar. It’ll be hard, but I’d love to give it a try and I think it’ll be the plan.

“I don’t know (about Royal Ascot), ridden that way is how he really enjoys it and I’m not sure Ascot would suit. We’ll work back from the Ebor probably, rather than Ascot.

“William kindly gave us the nod, he told us all about the horse and that’s helped in his training and we bear the fruits of it today, I suppose.”

Aleezdancer scoots clear under Neil Callan
Aleezdancer scoots clear under Neil Callan (Mike Egerton/PA)

Aleezdancer provided trainer Kevin Ryan with back-to-back victories in the Churchill Tyres Handicap.

Successful 12 months ago with Bielsa, the Hambleton handler this year fired a twin assault, with 14-1 shot Aleezdancer joined by stablemate Magical Spirit, a recent winner at Doncaster.

Popular veteran sprinter Dakota Gold looked as though he may secure a seventh course win after striking the front, but Aleezdancer finished the stronger to prevail by a length and a half.

Jack Berry jointly owns the sprinter with John Matthews and not surprisingly suggested where he would like him to run in September.

Ryan said: “To be honest I wasn’t sure if we’d run on the ground but I thought it would be safe and it turns out it’s on the slow side of good.

“We put some blinkers on as he’s been around a while and he’s starting to get a bit cute but he’s very genuine.

“Neil said he was actually lazy in the first furlong but he gave him a reminder and he came good. After that he travelled lovely and they went so quick they were never going to keep going. I was confident from a furlong out.

“I worked for Jack for a pittance for years so it’s nice he’s involved!”

Berry said: “We’ve had winners at York before. We won the seller one year and Mick Easterby was interested in buying it but he was terrified to bid!

“He could go for the Stewards’ Cup, he was unlucky in it last year but to be honest as long as he ends up at Ayr, I’m not bothered where he goes.”

There was a sad postscript to the race as Mick Appleby’s Hispanic suffered a severe leg injury in the early stages and had to be euthanised.

Diligent Resdev lunged late to claim a last-gasp victory in the Conundrum HR Consulting Handicap.

Diligent Resdev and Joanna Mason (right) in full flight
Diligent Resdev and Joanna Mason (right) in full flight (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ziggy’s Condor looked home for all money after taking a couple of lengths out of the field, but he was unable to resist the late charge of Mick and David Easterby’s 40-1 shot Diligent Resdev, with a short head separating the pair where it mattered.

Winning rider Joanna Mason said: “It means a lot to get a winner at the first meeting of the year at York for my granddad and uncle at our local track.

“Things are going really well for me at the minute but I couldn’t tell you why! It’s the horses that are in good form, I’m just doing the steering. I’m just thankful to everyone.

“I didn’t think I was going to get there to be honest, I thought they’d gone quick but he tried his heart out and got up on the line. He’s so straightforward and chilled out for his third run.”

There was a racecourse whisper before the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes that Richard Fahey’s Shadow Army was above average and it proved spot on – but only narrowly.

Shadow Army (gold cap) justified favouritism
Shadow Army (gold cap) justified favouritism (Mike Egerton/PA)

The 9-2 joint-favourite hit the front inside the final furlong and looked to have it sewn up only for Francisco’s Piece to throw down a strong challenge that only failed by a short head.

Fahey said: “He’s a pretty smart horse. I know he made hard work of it but I always find the better ones get beat!

“He’ll improve a tonne. Put it this way, if he’d have fallen out of the back of the TV, we’d have been in trouble.

“He’s a gent of a horse, he does everything easily and we haven’t really got to him yet. I’m definitely thinking of Ascot but I’d love to get another run into him.

“I wouldn’t be afraid to go six furlongs but I was quite happy to run him over five as well.”

Dancing In Paris (9-2 favourite) was a cosy winner of the concluding Stuey Weston & Friends Getting Out Handicap.

Crowley raring to go with Turf hope Mostahdaf

Jim Crowley is feeling “very confident” about Mostahdaf’s chances in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old is poised for what is likely to be his final outing at Santa Anita before he embarks on a career at stud.

His services will surely be well sought after given his most recent performances have been career bests, in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Juddmonte International, two of the most prestigious 10-furlong races anywhere in the world.

Mostahdaf (centre) beat Paddington (left) and Nashwa at York
Mostahdaf (centre) beat Paddington (left) and Nashwa at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

He was due to run in the Champion Stakes at Ascot two weeks ago, but after John Gosden initially gave him the go-ahead having walked the track, a downpour mid-afternoon meant he did not race and was rerouted to America.

Crowley was not on board for his most recent outing at York as he was serving a whip suspension, with Frankie Dettori stepping in. And there is little doubt he is very excited about being reunited.

“The first time I’ve sat on him here was this morning and I’m very happy with the way he felt. He moved great in an easy canter for a circuit. He will probably go a little bit quicker tomorrow,” said Crowley.

“He was very well behaved and behaves himself better when he’s abroad than at home.

“He has plenty of pace, and you can park him up anywhere. I’m very confident.”

Crowley hoping sun will shine on Champion Stakes run for Mostahdaf

Jim Crowley is banking on reports of an imminent heatwave proving accurate to enable Mostahdaf to take his chance in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 21.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old has taken his form to a completely different level this season, winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and ending Paddington’s winning sequence in the Juddmonte International at York.

The next logical step for a horse excelling over 10 furlongs would be the Champion Stakes, but his connections have been cautious to make too firm a plan given his liking for good ground.

They do have the Breeders’ Cup Turf in reserve, but that would mean stepping back up to a mile and a half so Crowley would love the weather forecasters’ predictions of a dry week leading into Champions Day to prove correct.

Frankie Dettori stepped in for a suspended Jim Crowley at York as Mostahdaf beat Paddington (left) and Nashwa (right)
Frankie Dettori stepped in for a suspended Jim Crowley at York as Mostahdaf beat Paddington (left) and Nashwa (right) (Mike Egerton/PA)

“If the ground is nice I’m sure he will take his chance,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“The weather can change in between now and then but he’d go on good to soft, he has done in the past.

“I think if it came up very testing then he might reroute to a Breeders’ Cup or something, so that’s in the pipeline, but we’d love to get him there (Ascot) on good ground because it’s a great race and it would suit him, obviously, as a course and distance winner. It’s a very important race.

“We’ll take one step at a time and see if he goes to Ascot first, but that would be exciting if he went to America. It would be over a mile and a half, but he’s won over that distance and it’s over a tight two turns.

“He won out in Saudi and that is a similar sort of tight track to Santa Anita and he loves fast ground, so he’s got options and it’s great he’s been able to show us this season how good he really is.”

Al Aasy produced to perfection for Rose of Lancaster honours

Al Aasy lunged late to secure a last-gasp victory in the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.

Beaten only a neck by Pyledriver in the 2021 Coronation Cup at Epsom, the William Haggas-trained six-year-old has since been gelded and an Ascot Listed win was his only appearance of last season.

He was tailed off on his return to action at Newmarket, but bounced back to winning ways at Newbury three weeks later and he was a 6-5 favourite to follow up at Group Three level on Merseyside.

Ridden by Jim Crowley, Al Aasy was settled at the rear of the field for much of 10-furlong journey before being produced with a withering late run.

He had had to dig deep in the closing stages to reel in El Drama, but got up in the dying strides to prevail by a neck. Midnight Mile was almost three lengths further back in third.

Maureen Haggas, assistant to her husband, said: “He was good today, both horse and jockey were good. Jim said he was cool throughout and it just fell apart in front of him a bit, so the horse had to work. To his credit he did and he got there.

Maureen Haggas was pleased with Al Aasy's performance
Maureen Haggas was pleased with Al Aasy’s performance (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He’s had his ups and downs, but he’s always been a talented horse and I think bringing him back to a mile and a quarter has been a good thing. He travels through the race well and he really looked like he was enjoying himself today.

“He’s been perhaps unfairly criticised, but since we’ve had him gelded we’ve never really classed him as ungenuine. He’s been a bit unfortunate once or twice, though before he was gelded he was definitely thinking about other things and since it has helped him.

“Next steps are for William to work out. He’s won Group Three races before and he’s been competitive at Group One level before and although he’s old he’s a bit like Hamish in that he hasn’t got many miles on the clock.”

Al Husn upsets Nashwa and Blue Rose Cen in Nassau Stakes

Al Husn upset Blue Rose Cen and Nashwa to lift the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

Christopher Head’s Blue Rose Cen was the 10-11 favourite to add to her Classic wins on home soil in the French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks, with last year’s Nassau heroine Nashwa rated her main threat.

Above The Curve, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, made much of the running and it was from the cut-away in the home straight that drama began to unfold.

French jockey Aurelien Lemaitre, riding at Goodwood for the first time, went for a gap on the far rail aboard Blue Rose Cen, but it was firmly and swiftly slammed in his face by Moore, leaving the market leader all dressed up with nowhere to go in behind.

Hollie Doyle, meanwhile, kept out of trouble aboard Nashwa and she looked likely to follow up her latest Group One triumph in last month’s Falmouth Stakes after quickening up smartly to move to the heels of the leaders.

But her effort flattened in the final furlong, and she was unable to get by the front-running Above The Curve, with Roger Varian’s Al Husn, who beat Nashwa in a Group Three at Newcastle on her most recent outing, also in there pitching.

Ridden by Jim Crowley, Al Husn knuckled down to beat Above The Curve by half a length, with Nashwa the same distance further back in third and Blue Rose Cen close behind her in fourth.

The victory was the latest in a rollercoaster few days for Crowley, after receiving a 20-day suspension and £10,000 following his winning ride aboard Hukum in the same colours in last weekend’s King George at Ascot.

Jim Crowley celebrates winning the Nassau Stakes aboard Al Husn
Jim Crowley celebrates winning the Nassau Stakes aboard Al Husn (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“She’s not a big filly but she’s all heart – she tries so hard,” said the jockey.

“I was very fortunate with the way the race panned out. We had a kind draw and when Ryan went on to make the running, it was the obvious thing to do to sit second and I was effectively in a bit of a pocket on the inside, so I had to be a bit careful with that

“I knew Nashwa was going to come at some point. Two out she stuck her neck down and really battled and really wanted it, which was great.

“Roger’s done a fantastic job with her and she’s just kept on improving all season.”

Varian said: “She’s a remarkable filly, I think she’s won seven of her last eight now. The truth is that none of us really knew how good she was, she’s one of those that just beats what’s in front of her.

“She’s never particularly flashy but she’s got such an admirable attitude and she’s tough. We thought we’d come here and run very well, I’m delighted Sheikha Hissa is here to have a Group One winner with a homebred filly like this – it’s fantastic.

“It’s a fantastic race, it’s steeped in prestige and history. It’s one of the magical races for fillies to win, it’ll be forever in her stud book and hopefully when she’s done racing she can go back to the farm and be a broodmare.”

Roger Varian and Jim Crowley lift the Nassau Stakes trophy
Roger Varian and Jim Crowley lift the Nassau Stakes trophy (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Considering future plans, the trainer added: “She’s well entered up – she’s in the Prix Jean Romanet in Deauville, she’s in the Yorkshire Oaks over a mile and a half, though I’m not sure about that, and later in the year races like the Prix de l’Opera I’m sure will be considered. Who knows, perhaps we’ll look at the Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita (Breeders’ Cup).

“We trained her mum, Hadaatha, who was third in the Prix de l’Opera, and always had faith that Hadaatha would breed a good one.

“You never know, really, if they can perform on the big stage. The majority of them can’t but when you find one that can it is very satisfying.”

Jim Crowley banned for 20 days and fined £10,000 for Hukum ride

Jim Crowley has been banned for 20 days and fined £10,000 for his winning ride aboard Hukum in Saturday’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Both Crowley and Rob Hornby, who finished second aboard Westover, were referred to the British Horseracing Authority’s Whip Review Committee following a duel to the line in the midsummer highlight, with Hukum prevailing by a head.

Flat riders are allowed to use their whip six times in a race, with a four-day ban for going one over the limit and seven days for going two over. Crowley used his whip nine times, which incurs a 10-day ban and is doubled for a class one race.

Had Crowley used his whip four times over the limit then Hukum would have been disqualified.

Westover (left) and Hukum fought out a thrilling finish to the King George
Westover (left) and Hukum fought out a thrilling finish to the King George (Adam Davy/PA)

The rider will be banned August 15-21 and August 23 – September 4, meaning he misses the Ebor meeting at York, where he was due to ride runaway Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner Mostahdaf in the Juddmonte International. He also received the substantial fine due to the class and value of the race.

On Monday the whip rules were tweaked once more by the BHA following a six-month review period and while the changes would not have affected Crowley’s punishment due to the severity of his offence, Hornby has benefitted from the revisions.

He used his whip once above the permitted level, but given he has had more than 200 rides in Britain since his last whip offence, his initial ban was cut to two days. However, that is then doubled due to the calibre of race, meaning he will be out of action for four days (August 15-18 inclusive).

Had the rules not been changed 24 hours previously, Hornby would have had an eight-day suspension imposed.

Crowley had anticipated a significant punishment, but felt the penalty was “severe”.

He said: “I’m extremely disappointed, obviously I had an inkling it was coming so I prepared myself. I can’t change it, I’ve got to get on with it.

“I don’t think anything untoward has happened to those horses in any way, it was a brilliant race. I used my whip in a very correct manner, how I’ve been brought up to use it.

“I gave the horse time to respond, we never used it in any incorrect place or at shoulder height or anything like that. Unfortunately it’s not something I was aware that I’d done, and neither was Rob.

“It’s very difficult to count in that scenario. If you’re in a men’s final playing tennis, you’re concentrating on everything else and not counting in your head.

“Rules are rules but it’s very severe, I can’t change it. It is what it is.”

When asked if he would consider an appeal, Crowley said: “I haven’t had chance to discuss it with anybody yet, I found out 10 minutes ago so I’ll let it sink in.

“Although I broke the rules and I wasn’t aware I broke the rules, I didn’t think it was a problem watching the race. The horse’s welfare always comes first and to me that wasn’t a problem.

“I think they’ve been very severe and ruled with an iron fist, they don’t want the win-at-all cost races. Jockeys aren’t aware they’re doing it, that’s the problem.

“When you’re in a finish you are aware that you need to be careful, but you cannot physically count. You’re trying to keep your horse straight – if those horses had touched, if there had been any interference in anyway, one of them would have got chucked out.

“You’re trying to keep your horse straight, you’re in a rhythm with the horse. Both of us were unaware pulling up, which tells you that we didn’t think we’d gone over the limit.

“It’s very unfortunate but it shouldn’t take away from a brilliant race and a fantastic horse. I hope this doesn’t overshadow that.”

Hornby echoed those sentiments and admitted he did not initially think he had contravened the rules.

He said: “I wasn’t aware on the day, not at all. In fact I was kicking myself as I thought I’d only done five (strokes) – that shows what my counting is like in that situation.

“I’m sure Jim is the same. It’s a shame that it has cast a shadow over such a brilliant race, it should be remembered for two great horses.”

Rob Hornby will miss four days through suspension
Rob Hornby will miss four days through suspension (Mike Egerton/PA)

A spokesperson for the BHA underlined the rarity of such a sizeable ban resulting from a headline contest, but also pointed out the aim of the revised rules was to deter such use of the whip.

They said: “The use of the whip in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes was not reflective of the riding we have generally seen in major races since the introduction of the new rules. For example, the Cheltenham, Aintree, Epsom and Royal Ascot meetings have all taken place this year without a single rider using the whip above the permitted level on a winning ride.

“Specific thresholds for whip use is now standard policy amongst most major racing nations, including all of our nearest neighbours.

“On Saturday the whip was used three times above the permitted level on the winner, for which there is very little justification.

“It is to deter whip use like this that strict penalties are in place, especially in major races.

“They are designed not only to safeguard the perception of the sport, but also maintain fairness in close finishes, encouraging riders to stay within the rules, in the interest of the betting public and fellow riders.”

Crowley shoulders ‘huge punishment’ for winning ride on Hukum

Jim Crowley is set to miss the ride on Mostahdaf at York after picking up what is believed to be a significant suspension for his winning ride on Hukum in Saturday’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Crowley and Westover’s jockey Rob Hornby, who finished second, were both referred to the British Horseracing Authority’s Whip Review Committee in the wake of what was unforgettable finish to the midsummer showpiece.

Flat riders are allowed to use their whip six times in a race, with a four-day ban for going one over the limit and seven days for going two over. Crowley reportedly used his whip nine times, which incurs a 10-day ban and is doubled for a class one race.

Had Crowley used his whip four times over the limit then Hukum would have been disqualified.

The punishment is doubled-edged for Crowley as he was due to ride runaway Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner Mostahdaf in the Juddmonte International at the Ebor meeting.

On Monday the whip rules were tweaked once more by the BHA following a six-month review period, but the changes would not have affected Crowley’s punishment due to the severity of his offence.

Speaking to ITV Racing before any official publication of the committee’s findings, Crowley said: “It’s a huge punishment. I spoke to Rob and neither of us knew we had gone over.

“I had absolutely no idea. When we go out we are aware of the whip rules and aware of the severity of them.

“In the finish we are both thinking, ‘don’t go over’, as one thing and secondly you are trying to keep the momentum of your horse, you can’t cause any interference as a slight bump and you could get chucked out. You are trying to stay in rhythm with the horse and you are really in the zone.

“That is not to say you are not thinking about the whip because you are, but it is very difficult to be counting the strokes when you are in that scenario. It’s not a win-at-all costs ride, but it is so difficult, until you are in that situation yourself – it is hard to explain.

“Neither of us were aware we’d gone over, that’s the worrying thing. We got back to the weighing room and got a tap on the shoulder and straight away a feeling of dread comes over you.

Jim Crowley at Ascot
Jim Crowley at Ascot (Adam Davy/PA)

“Imagine a tennis player in the Wimbledon final, you are not counting numbers in your head – it’s very difficult.

“The rules are the rules. Does the punishment fit the crime? I don’t think so, but I would say that. It’s going to be a tough pill to swallow.

“Some jockeys were consulted about the rules, there’s a bit of a stigma about that, but I can guarantee you know there isn’t a jockey in that weighing room who agrees with the rules.

“Neither jockey went out there to win at all costs. It was a mistake, it’s very unfortunate. He’s my favourite horse, it’s a shame it’s worked out this way.”

Ralph Beckett, the trainer of Westover, said: “I think once you put a finite number on it, you run into more problems than you solve and that is where we are now, we’ve created more problems than we’ve solved.

“Westover is fine, he bounced out of it and if I showed you a video you’d say he was ready to go again.”

Crowley hails ‘special’ race as Hukum takes King George title

Sport does not always scale the heights anticipated. Yet inarguably, with toes hanging off the edge, this King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes offered an epic view.

One wishes more dare scale the steep, magnificent Ascot grandstand steps to witness such an incredible spectacle of rippling thoroughbred power.

On such occasions, one has a vague idea of what will unfold before the eyes. This was refreshingly different, there was not an inkling what to expect from either racegoers or participants.

“No-one is ducking it,” Hukum’s jockey Jim Crowley succinctly put it beforehand, “which means everyone fancied their chances.”

None more so than him, as it turned out.

This season’s search for such a clash of the crème de la crème had reached the rainbow’s end, for this was as close to nirvana as a horse race gets.

There had been very little swinging and missing. Emily Upjohn had won the Coronation, with runner-up Westover subsequently taking the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Reigning champion Pyledriver had scored with ease on his belated comeback in the Hardwicke, dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin had only been luckless in the 2000 Guineas, and the other young pretender, King Of Steel, had gained compensation for a narrow Epsom defeat by taking the King Edward VII over course and distance. Luxembourg had a Tattersalls Gold Cup in the locker.

All in good form. Connections, to a man, hopeful if not confident, even given the unseasonably good to soft ground.

Hukum/Ascot
Hukum is welcomed in by Shadwell owner Sheika Hissa (Simon Milham/PA)

Superlatives are dangerous things, often inviting contradiction and sometimes scorn. Yet from overture to curtain, what unfolded was a drama for the ages, perhaps not quite on a par with Grundy and Bustino in 1975, yet ovation-worthy, nonetheless.

The bare result saw Hukum beat Westover by a head. King Of Steel was a further four and a half lengths back in third, with Auguste Rodin beaten before the race got started, suggesting something more than the ground was amiss.

Crowley had tasted some extraordinary moments with Hukum’s full brother Baaeed. Yet after a monumental battle with the doughty Westover for the last two furlongs, Rob Hornby’s mount matching the six-year-old blow for lung-busting blow, and having come out on top, the victor knew he had been part of another historic race.

“This was special,” said Crowley. “It was a great race to be part of. I knew going into the race, I wouldn’t swap him – and every jockey in the race said the same about their horse.

“Hence why everybody turned up as we all thought we could win.

“It was amazing, really. Both myself, the horse, Rob Hornby and Westover, were giving it everything. The kitchen sink is thrown in those situations.

“It must have been exciting to watch. To come out on top, it was fantastic, probably the most enjoyable race I’ve ever won. It was a race for the ages – just fantastic.”

Crowley’s ride was masterful. There were plenty in with chances as they swung six abreast round the home turn tracking Pyledriver. While he had to be reminded, Hukum lengthened his stride with a sudden explosive power that is flat racing’s most exhilarating sight.

Pyledriver and King Of Steel both ran their races, but while Crowley was was happily deciding they were beaten, he knew with greater certainty that once Westover had almost drawn upsides, the game could well have been up.

Yet the former champion has been here before and once Westover had served it up, Hukum had locked on to the task in hand and knocked it out of the park.

“The ground had dried out more than I was hoping for, but he is not essentially a soft-ground horse – he just likes good ground,” Crowley added.

“He missed the Hardwicke, which was good to firm and that was a good decision.

“He is just a very good horse who is getting better with age. He is finally coming out of his brother’s shadow now.

“He is just hard as nails, he is chilled, walks round the paddock like he owns the place – he’s a real dude.

“In some ways he’s flown under the radar, as he is a six-year-old, who has just won that one Group One, but if you go through his form, he hasn’t finished out the first three many times. He is a proper, tough horse.”

Hukum will likely be given a break, before being brought back for ParisLongchamp.

“You’d have to say the obvious race would be the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe now,” said Crowley. “He would get his conditions there and you always need a bit of luck round there – a low draw is very important. But let’s enjoy today – this was special.”

His victims offered no excuses, this was just a rare and precious thing – an entirely satisfactory all-aged midsummer highlight, won by the best horse and a great rider. This was as good as it gets.

Hukum pips Westover in King George thriller

Hukum edged out Westover in a pulsating renewal of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes.

A field of 10 runners went to post for the Ascot’s midsummer highlight and the mile-and-a-half contest was rightly billed as the race of the season so far.

Last year’s Coronation Cup hero Hukum was a 13-2 shot after returning from injury to see off the 2022 Derby hero Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown in May.

Always travelling well in the middle of the pack under Jim Crowley, the six-year-old moved up to challenge Westover for the lead passing the two-furlong marker and the pair settled down to fight it out from there.

No quarter was given by either horse or jockey, but it was the Owen Burrows-trained Hukum who just found most for pressure to win a race for the ages by a head.

King Of Steel was best of the rest in third ahead of Luxembourg in fourth and the defending champion Pyledriver in fifth.

The disappointment of the race was dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin. The 9-4 favourite was trapped wide throughout, came under pressure racing down the back straight and weakened quickly before being eased right down by Ryan Moore, eventually passing the post in last place.

Burrows said: “I’m just speechless. He’s an absolute star, isn’t he.

“It is a big team effort – I have a great team behind me. My head lad rides him every day, John Lake.

“To be honest, we felt he has never been better, this season for whatever reason, he’s shown a lot more speed. But what a tough horse – and he had to be, because the second didn’t lay down, did he? He made us fight all the way.

“What a race. It lived up to its spectacle. I’m a bit hoarse from shouting.

“What can you say about him – he’s an absolute star. I can’t put into words what it means. I’m in my second season as a public trainer and we have a great team. The guys back at Shadwell rehabbed him after his injury at Epsom – huge credit to them.

“It was the type of injury that wouldn’t retire a horse, but he’d just won a Group One and he was five, so you think – hats off to Sheikha Hissa for giving him a chance.”

Hukum won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2020
Hukum won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2020 (Edward Whitaker/PA)

He added: “This horse has been a huge part of my career. He is my first Royal Ascot winner, first Group One winner and he won in Dubai when we first went out after the sad passing of Sheikh Hamdan, so to come back and so what he’s done is just amazing.”

Crowley said: “It was a performance of pure determination. The race went smoothly, I had a nice position, I got onto the back of Westover turning in and had to hope that something didn’t come from out of the pack because in fairness to the second, he didn’t lie down.

“Full credit to Sheikha Hissa because this horse could quite easily have gone off to stud after winning the Coronation Cup, being how he’s bred, but they decided to keep him in training and they’ve been rewarded.

“It’s a good training performance as well. This horse was off for a while, it was a brave decision not to run in the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot last month) and it came to fruition today.

“It was the best King George on paper I’ve seen for a while and it was nice for him to win in the manner that he did.”

Aidan O’Brien was at a loss to explain Auguste Rodin’s effort, with the colt beaten a long way from home.

He said: “There are no excuses. Whatever happened, the power ran out and it ran out early.

“That is the unusual thing. The race wasn’t even started.

“He was calm in the paddock, we were very happy with him. There is obviously a reason and we’ll find it. It is frustrating, but that’s the way.”

Crowley thrilled to be heading for stellar King George on Hukum

Hukum’s jockey Jim Crowley is excited to be part of Saturday’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth II Qipco Stakes and hailed one of the deepest renewals in recent years as “great for the sport”.

The Group One Ascot showpiece looks set to feature Derby one-two Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel, last year’s Epsom hero Desert Crown, defending champion Pyledriver and the first two home from the Coronation Cup, Emily Upjohn and Westover among others.

The Owen Burrows-trained Hukum, who won last year’s Coronation Cup before injury sidelined him for a year, returned to defeat Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown in May.

With the ground currently described as good, good to soft in places at Ascot and rain forecast on Wednesday evening, connections of the Shadwell-owned Hukum are growing increasingly confident that the six-year-old will handle the white-hot opposition.

Crowley is happier when he lets his riding do the talking and the former champion jockey knows the quality of the opposition could not be higher.

“All I can say is that Hukum is in great form. It is a very, very good race – the best King George I’ve seen on paper for a long, long time, and it is great to be part of it,” he said.

“The horse is in great form going into the race and that is all we can ask for. If he is good enough, he is good enough.

“It is great to be part of it and great to be riding a horse with a chance in it.”

Hukum goes into the contest as the winner of six of his last eight races. The two defeats came by a head to Hamish in the September Stakes at Kempton in 2021 and by a length and three-quarters to Shahryar in the 2022 Dubai Sheema Classic.

After making a pleasing return at Sandown and following sustained support in recent days, he is now vying for favouritism with Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel with some bookmakers.

Crowley has ridden in most of the top races around the world, yet sees the mile and a half midsummer spectacular as one of the most eagerly-anticipated in recent times.

“I’m the same as all the other jockeys, really – it is going to be very exciting for a lot of people to watch and it is going to be very exciting to ride in it, but on the other hand, it is very important,” he said.

“It is great for the sport – it is what people want, isn’t it? It is our version of the Arc.

“No-one is ducking it, so that means everyone fancies their chances. It is when they don’t fancy their chances they start ducking it.”

Crowley added: “We are very happy with him and very respectful of the opposition, because it is a very good race. Any rain would not be a negative, it would be beneficial to him.”

Hukum’s connections will be content, with almost their ideal ground conditions on the cards.

Ascot’s clerk of the course Chris Stickels is expecting overnight rain into Thursday.

Speaking at 4pm on Wednesday, he said: “The going is good on the straight course, and good (good to soft in places) on the round course. We had two millimetres of rain on Monday and have not had any since.

“We are expecting rain this evening and through the night. The ground would be getting quicker as we speak – it would be getting close to good to firm now in places – but obviously it is going to rain, so, we won’t see that change. We are expecting between seven and 15 millimetres.

“Until we get the rain we don’t know what the going will be but 12 millimetres will probably make us good to soft.”