Well over the five day Ascot carnival we saw some royalty with new princess Meghan Markle making her first public appearance. We also saw a strong Australian presence around with many aussies here to cheer on their sprinters, in the Diamond Jubilee. Redkirk Warrior for the Hayes/Dabernig stable and former handlers of the now Coolmore based, Merchant Navy. It was the Fastnet Rock colt for Coolmore who produce a fighting victory after being cannoned into at the 150m mark that was to shine a light on Australias thoroughbred industry.
Diamond Jubilee -- Merchant Navy in a fighting finish, prevails, over the French horse City Light in the Group one Diamond Jubilee Stakes. It was a great ride by Ryan Moore for the Aiden O'bien stable and secures a dual hemishpere stallion deal with Coolmore for the 30 million dollar purchase. There to see the victory was his former Australian trainer, Cairon Maher who was elated for everyone involved. Rather than worry about what might of been if the horse had stayed with him. Cairon, said, "He has a great set of lungs on him and he is still developing so he will only get better. You cant blame the owners for selling him. It was a large amount to refuse."Cairon is keen on returning one day with a horse of his own to compete at Ascot. He also stated , " We thought we had the right horse last year with Jameka but she got ill, just before we were to come.".
Ascot Gold Cup over 4000m went to Mighty Mouse as he is affectionately known because of his small stature. Stradivarius is now recognized as Europes best young stayer and provided jockey, Frankie Dettori with his 60th Royal Ascot victory. The Sea the Stars gelding recently won the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup and has also won the Group one Goodwood Cup . If he can add the Goodwood Cup again and then the Lonsdale Cup, in September,he takes home a million pound bonus. He is trained by John Gosden for owner and breeder, Bjorn Nielson. The businessman is a passionate racing man and when asked what sparked his interest in racing, he said. "That it was the spectacular Australian jumps competitor Crisp that drew him to racing." “Watching the epic 1973 Grand National in which Red Rum caught the gallant Crisp in the dying stages scarred me for life,”.
Prince of Wales Stakeswinner Poets Word is by Poets Voice and he stalked Cracksman all the way and when James Doyle made his move he was too good for the odds on favourite. It was another victory for trainer Sir Michael Stout.
Sir Michael Stoute becomes the winning-most trainer in #RoyalAscot history as Poet's Word powers to victory in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.
Belmont Stakes and the triple crown -- On the weekend, Justify led all the way to make him the 13th crown achiever and only the second undefeated horse to win the crown after Seattle Slew. While Mike Smith became the eldest winning jockey, at 53.trainer, Bob Baffert adds a second triple crown after his 2015 success with American Pharoah. Bob's first winner of one of the big three was in The Preakness of 1997 when his grey filly Silver Charm was successful he has now won 15 legs of the triple crown. It was a strong runner up finish for Gronkowski, the son of Australian Champ, Lonhro. Justify is by Scat Daddy who leads back to Storm Cat on the male side a descendant of the great Secretariat and on his dam, Stage Magic we find Secretariat through A.P.Indy.
Secretariat's, triple crown was probably the most breathtaking of all time but there was a horse who never got to complete the three, failing in the Belmont of 1989 that i wanted to highlight upon. A horse that could well be one of the saviors of our sport. His name Sunday Silence. After his retirement from racing, Sunday Silence attracted little support by breeders in the United States and was exported to Japan. He was Leading Sire in Japan on thirteen occasions. The Japanese are so passionate about the thoroughbred and are willing to put their money where their passion is. There have been plenty of quality mares who have been sent to Deep Impact and Arrowfield Stud in Australia has just purchased two more in Abbey Marie and Omei Sword, for that reason. The Deep Impact the son of Sunday Silence is having on International racing cannot be under estimated. Deep Impact's son Study of Man scored at Chantilly, France, last week in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club ( French Derby ) . It was the stallions 37th group one winner and the first time a French race has ever been broadcast in Japan. The far reaching effects of social media and live broadcasts, I believe will be the second coming of the thoroughbred. Its in Asia where the sport is taking off and big money continues to be on offer in Japan. Australia has a strong presence all over this region and there is a strong desire for Aussie horses.
Classic winner - Study Of Man, a son of Deep Impact, lands the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club at @fgchantilly for trainer Pascal Bary and jockey Stephane Pasquier: pic.twitter.com/oOFCX0AqlZ
In the Group 3 Epsom Cup in Japan on the weekend we saw another son of Deep Impact in Satono Arthur secure victory after charging home, from way off the pace. His dam, Kings Rose is the daughter of Australia's super stallion, Redoutes Choice. While in another group 3 The Mermaid Stakes Andriette won. Making it a red letter day for the stallion in Japan.
Saxon Warrior the son of Deep Impact is favourite for the up coming Irish Derby in the UK even though he was beaten by Masar in the Epsom Derby so more glory could be just around the corner.
Congratulations to Sheikh Mohammad and the Godolphin stable in winning the Epsom Derby with Masar, overnight. A memorable moment for William Buick, Charlie Appleby and Godolphin as the New Approach colt becomes their first Derby winner .The great broodmare, Urban Sea features not once but twice in the pedigree of Masar. He is by New Approach, who is by Urban Sea's son Galileo, and he boasts Urban Sea as his fourth dam through her daughter, Melikah.
Gutsy effort by the son of Frankel, Cracksman in winning the Coronation Cup after knocking his head on the barriers. Frankie Dettori lifted Cracksman to claim his third straight Group One and defeat Salouen who had kicked clear down the straight . Prince of Wales Stks is next on his agenda in 19 days and trainer John Gosden said " his star is just not really at home at Epsom".
Cracksman is given a mighty scare by Salouen before claiming a third straight Group One win in the Investec Coronation Cup
