Lady Aurelia Sizzles in King's Stand at Royal Ascot
America's fleet filly, Lady Aurelia, defeated older males and dazzled in a near-course-record performance in the G1 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. The opening day feature, one of 6 races on the day, drew an international field of 17 for the 5F sprint.
Lady Aurelia, under jockey John Velazquez, pressed a brisk pace and drew off to win by 4 lengths in a final time of 57.45, only .01 of a second off the course record.
It was Lady Aurelia's second Royal Ascot victory, having won the Queen Mary in 2016. She is trained by Wesley Ward, a familiar face at Royal Ascot. He was the first US-based trainer to win a race at the royal meeting, and in 2015 his Undrafted won the G1 Diamond Jubilee stakes for owner, and NFL player, Wes Welker.
Lady Aurelia, who was 7-2 at Ascot, was sent off at 2-1 in the American betting pool and paid $6.00 and 3.40. She is a 3-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy, owned by Stonestreet Stable, George Bolton and Peter Leidel.
G1 Queen Anne - RIBCHESTER - New Course Record
Godolphin’s Ribchester flashed his top talent as a miler once again in the Queen Anne, the race won last year by American champion Tepin. Trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by William Buick, the four-year-old colt by Iffraaj set a new course record, running the straight mile in 1:36.60. Ribchester was followed by Mutakayyef and Deauville. U.S. horses, American Patriot and Miss Temple City, finished 11th and 13th respectively.
G2 Coventry - RAJASINGHE - New Course Record
The two-year-old colt by Choisir broke yet another course record, running six furlongs in 1:12.39. Owned by Rebel Racing, the win gave jockey Stevie Donohoe and trainer Richard Spender their first Royal Ascot wins. Headway was second, and Murillo was third.
G1 St. James's Palace - BARNEY ROY - New Course Record
Godolphin had a second winner on day one of Royal Ascot with the Richard Hannon, Jr.-trained Barney Roy. Ridden by James Roy, the Excelebration three-year-old colt ran seven furlongs and 213 yards in 1:37.22, marking the third new course record. Behind Barney Roy was Lancaster Bomber, Thunder Snow, and Churchill.
Ascot Stakes - THOMAS HOBSON
Going two miles, three furlongs, and 210 yards, Thomas Hobson made it a winning run in 4:17.62. The seven-year-old gelding by Halling is trained by William Mullins and was ridden by Ryan Moore. Thomas Hobson, who is also a winner over hurdles, brought home the win for owner Mrs. Susannah Ricci over Endless Acres and Who Dares Wins.
Windsor Castle (Listed) - SOUND AND SILENCE
Godolphin took their third win of the day with Sound And Silence in the Windsor Castle, a five-furlong test for two-year-olds. The Exceed And Excel colt is trained by Charlie Appleby and gave William Buick his second winning ride of the day. Sound and Silence hit the wire in :59.20 over stablemate Roussel and James Garfield.
Royal Ascot Reactions:
When I stop shaking I will watch the replay of the King's Stand over and over again. #LadyAurelia #killer