Sir Michael Stoute became the winning-most trainer at Royal Ascot after Poet’s Word provided the Newmarket trainer with his 76th victory at the Royal Meeting on Wednesday, getting the better of 2/5 favourite Cracksman in the Gr1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Ridden by James Doyle, Poet’s Word stalked Cracksman in the early stages of the 2000m contest and unleashed a potent turn of foot in the straight to score comfortably by two and a quarter-lengths.
Stoute, who trained his first Royal Ascot winner back in 1977 with Etienne Gerard in the Jersey Stakes, was tied on 75 victories at the Royal Meeting with the late Sir Henry Cecil.
Discussing the achievement Stoute said: “It is relief because we were stuck on 75 last year. As I said the other night, Henry did most of his training when it was a four-day meeting, so I have had an advantage. Nobody respected him greater than I did as a trainer.
“Cracksman beat Poet’s Word a long way here last time [in the Champion Stakes]. Maybe Cracksman is not at his very best now but we have beaten the others comprehensively.
“Poet’s Word is a very consistent, brave, sound horse. That’s what he is. A huge well done to all the staff because they have put a lot of work into a horse like this.
“I was delighted for Poet’s Word. He’s been in at the deep-end in G1s and has been running well in them, so it’s great for him to win one.
“I think Royal Ascot is very special to any trainer. We have been very lucky in that we have brought a lot of nice horses here over the years.
“We’re very glad it’s happened and it’s great for all the staff.
The Gr1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes is a Breeders’ Cup win and you’re in contest with Poet’s Word guaranteed a place in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs in 2018.
The Gr1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes also forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
