Berkshire and Jim Crowley take the Chesham Stakes
Tragedy and miserable weather dampened the final day of Royal Ascot 2013 as the Queen attended one of the most famous race meetings for the fifth day. The meeting was perhaps appropriately labelled ‘the theatre of dreams’ by a winning owner on the afternoon.
Racegoers had to cope with upturned umbrellas and fly-away hats on the final day of racing as the wind dominated the show.
Tragedy struck in an eventful Hardwicke Stakes when the four-year-old Thomas Chippendale died of a suspected heart attack after racing to victory.
This was Thomas Chippendale’s second successive win here and he provided Lady Cecil with a second victory at the meeting. But the celebrations afterwards were tinged with sadness.
To add to the drama, the 9-4 favourite, Ektihaam, had earlier slipped up on the bend following rain on fast ground and gave jockey Paul Hanagan a nasty fall. The former champion jockey did get to his feet later.
Frankie Dettori and Dandino were a length adrift of the winner at the line, with the one-paced Universal back in third.
Berkshire ran out a convincing winner of the Chesham Stakes.
Ollie Cole, son of the trainer Paul, said he may now go straight to the Dewhurst Stakes, such is the high opinion they have of the winning colt.
Sent off at 16-1 after finishing third on his debut at Newbury, the Jim Crowley-ridden winner came from last to first within a matter of strides.
Climate Change! It was tough taking on the wind and remaining glamorous
Crowley said: “I was lucky enough to get the ride at Newbury and he was in front all the way that day and did it the wrong way. There was nothing to take me into this race and I went sooner than I had liked. He’s a serious horse – he’s physically imposing and is a lovely horse.”
Cole Sr reported: “It’s been a long gap [since last Royal Ascot winner] and when you’ve had a lot of success it’s nice to have a few with chances. He’s always been good at home but we haven’t much to work him with – everything he’s done has been pleasing, though.
Lethal Force ran out an impressive winner of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes for trainer Clive Cox and jockey Adam Kirby. The four-year-old grey made just about every yard of the running and burst clear 400m out.
The 4-1 favourite Society Rock made up relentless ground under Kieren Fallon and at one stage looked likely to reel in the leader.
However, Kirby kept Lethal Force up to his work and the 11-1 chance crossed the line two lengths clear.
“The plan was today and he won’t do much more this year because he’s enormous – just one more run, I’d have thought. Next year he’ll be a better horse.”
Jamie Spencer celebrates as York Glory wins the Wokingham Stakes
Jamie Spencer partnered York Glory to a clear-cut victory in the Wokingham Stakes.
Held up right at the back of the pack, Kevin Ryan’s grey got a perfect split on the inside of Shropshire. The 14-1 chance powered home to give trainer Kevin Ryan a second winner of the week after Lightning Cloud’s success on Friday in the Buckingham Palace Stakes.
Kieren Fallon kicked early on the well-backed Gabriel’s Lad but he looked a sitting duck a furlong out.
Shropshire had made eyecatching progress to hit the front but Spencer always looked to have his measure and galloped clear to win by a length and three-quarters. Dinkum Diamond was third, with Khubala fourth.
Spencer said: “They went slow for a Wokingham – I was travelling too well, even though I had cover. I was always going to get there, it was whether I was going to get there too quickly. I rang up for the ride, so David Harrison [his agent] will struggle to get his wages.
Ryan Moore was always in the right place on Opinion as he made his substitute ride in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap a winning one.
Moore was supposed to be riding Rye House but when Sir Michael Stoute took him out at the 11th hour due to the fast ground, Moore jumped on to his stablemate.
Richard Hughes, who was supposed to ride Opinion, replaced the injured Paul Hanagan on Lahaag but finished unplaced.
Moore said: “The race worked out very well – we had a nice spot. He stays very well, you could see that in the last furlong.”
Harry Herbert, managing director for Opinion’s owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: “It’s so exciting – it’s the theatre of dreams.”
Opinion had been working with Telescope, who missed the Derby with a setback in the spring.
Herbert said: “A race like the Ebor might be in his sights and, further down the line, maybe even the Melbourne Cup. He’d been seeing an awful lot of Telescope’s bottom so it was nice to see him come home in front.”
Chiberta King narrowly prevailed in a tight finish to the Queen Alexandra Stakes to deny Frankie Dettori a fairytale victory on Shahwardi in the final race of Royal Ascot.
Winning rider Jimmy Fortune said: “Ironically he normally makes the running but they went off very quick and it probably won him the race as I had to drop in. It’s a great way to finish the meeting, it’s been a long time coming.”
Successful trainer Andrew Balding said: “We might try and come back next year, we bought him as a yearling and he’s been such a good servant. I’m delighted for the whole team as we’ve had quite a frustrating week.”
