Tag Archive for: Queen’s Vase

Illinois leads home Ballydoyle one-two in Queen’s Vase

Illinois justified favouritism to give Ryan Moore an 80th Royal Ascot winner in the Queen’s Vase and emerge as a real candidate for the St Leger.

Second to subsequent Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly in the Lingfield Derby Trial, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Galileo colt sat in second behind long-time leader Mr Hampstead before Moore pushed him to the front two furlongs out.

Stablemate Highbury was the first to give chase, but Moore had enough in the tank to bring his mount home by a length and a quarter at 7-4.

Highbury stayed on to give Ballydoyle a one-two, with Jessica Harrington’s Birdman completing a clean sweep of the places for Ireland.

O’Brien, also responsible for fifth-placed The Equator – said: “We felt any three of them could win, but Ryan made the decision on this one. When Diego (Velazquez) got rerouted to the King Edward VII Stakes, this horse got rerouted to here.

“Ryan felt he would stay. He felt when he got beat at Leopardstown it was the ground and he felt he was very green when he went to Lingfield.

“Obviously, all those types of horses had a much easier time than they would normally have because they would be steered into the Derby, but when City (Of Troy) was there, it gave all these horse a chance to develop slowly.

“He’s obviously a Leger-type horse and is going to improve from three to four.”

Ryan Moore is presented with his special prize for reaching 80 career winners at Royal Ascot
Ryan Moore is presented with his special prize for reaching 80 career winners at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

He added: “He’s a middle-distance, mile-and-six type horse and he’s going to get better from three to four. He’s a big, sound honest horse and a bit of a baby mentally still. He might have a bit of a rest now and go to York on the way to the St Leger, something like that.

“I think he might have a little more class than just a Cup horse and I think his sister (Danedream) won the Arc. Ryan said he was kind of caught in a position he didn’t want to and wasn’t getting an easy lead, he had to do it tough. When he went to the front he flattened out and he thought the race was over and then he asked him to come again and he did. He probably learned a lot today.

“I will be sure he is going to be a very good mile-and-a-half horse who will also get further.”

Aidan O’Brien accepts his prize from the Duchess of Gloucester
Aidan O’Brien accepts his prize from the Duchess of Gloucester (David Davies/PA)

On equalling Sir Henry Cecil’s record of eight Queen’s Vase wins, O’Brien said: “Obviously we’re over the moon and we’re so pleased for everybody. It’s obviously massive teamwork all the way along and I’m always mentioning lots of names, but there are so many people I don’t mention. There are a lot of people doing work that influences the careers of horses even before they are born and I never mention their names and I would love to.

“It’s all about teamwork and we’re just grateful to have the small part we have and it’s unbelievable. They are homebred horses and there are so many people involved. It’s incredible to be working with the people we are.”

On the runner-up: “He’s only a baby and we didn’t know what to expect, but he’s obviously a good horse. Wayne (Lordan) said he was babyish through the race but will come on as well. He is probably a Leger-type horse as well. He could go to Goodwood and then back to York. These are both Leger-type horses who could quicken up.”



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Dettori jumping for joy after getting off the mark at final Royal Ascot

Frankie Dettori was once again the toast of Royal Ascot, as the magical Italian secured the first winner of his final week at the showpiece meeting courtesy of Gregory in the Queen’s Vase.

The 52-year-old announced in December that 2023 would be his last year in the saddle and on so many occasions he has stolen the show at the summer spectacular.

But the opening day was a frustrating one for the veteran rider as not only did he have to make do with the runner-up spot in three races, he also picked up a nine-day suspension for careless riding.

But the betting suggested John and Thady Gosden’s dual winner Gregory would get him off the mark on day two, with punters ensuring he went off an even-money favourite, and Dettori delivered a brilliantly-judged ride from the front to send the packed grandstands wild.

Just for a moment it looked like Gregory could be picked off by Saint George when challenged in the closing stages, but the son of Golden Horn found more for pressure and was ultimately well on top as he passed the post with a length and a half in hand, giving his rider a 78th Royal Ascot success.

“I thought this winner was never going to come this year. I had three seconds yesterday, but I knew this would be my best chance,” Dettori told ITV Racing.

“I was in front a long time and when Oisin (Murphy, on the runner-up) came to me I thought ‘oh no, not second again’. This horse really stuck his neck out though, he was great. To ride a winner at my last Royal Ascot is fantastic.

“It was amazing the reception I got because it is my last season, I couldn’t be happier. I’m both sad and happy, I’ve still got three more days, but at least I’ve got one on the board.”

Frankie Dettori drives Gregory to victory
Frankie Dettori drives Gregory to victory (David Davies/PA)

Gosden senior said of his completely unexposed winner, who is now favourite for the St Leger: “That was a dominant display, he broke well, Frankie got a good position and then he was able to control the pace. When the second came to him he’s gone away again.

“He’s a class horse, we’re aiming for the St Leger and I told the owners before. All being well, touch wood, he might be a Cup horse next season.

“He’ll need to run somewhere before the Leger, so he’ll go in one of the trials. I trained the father (Golden Horn) and the mother (Gretchen), so I know the family very well.”

He added: “It’s absolutely great, Frankie won it in the first furlong because he got him out and got the position. That bend comes very quickly.

“The owners, Wathnan Racing, are new to the yard and that is only their second ever runner at Royal Ascot, so it’s not a bad way to start.”



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