Royal Ascot roundup: 80-1 shot pulls off QEII Jubilee surprise
Khaadem (80-1) became the longest-priced winner of the Group 1, $1,271,400 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on Saturday at Royal Ascot thanks to a textbook, hold-up ride from Jamie Spencer.
The Fitri Hay-owned 7-year-old, who was withdrawn from last year’s King’s Stand Stakes (G1) after sitting down in the stalls, was ridden cold by Spencer before latching on to the strong-traveling Sacred (9-1) with a quarter-mile remaining in the six-furlong, turf feature for older horses.
“I felt no pressure,” Spencer said. “I followed Frankie (Dettori on seventh-place Kinross at 6-1) and Tom (Marquand on runner-up Sacred) and could see Tom was going well at halfway. So just like in a cycling race, you let him do the work for you, and you hope that when you pull out you have a little bit to fire.”
Sacred made her bid for glory inside the last two furlongs, but Khaadem always looked to have the move covered, ultimately wearing her down in the closing strides to score by a neck.
“Khaadem does have his quirks, but most sprinters do,” winning trainer Charlie Hills said. “It’s just amazing that we’ve got to where we have now at his age. I have always had massive faith in this horse. That’s why I’ve kept him for so long.”
Third-place Highfield Princess (11-4), the post-time favorite, did best of those nearest the stand side following up her second in Tuesday’s King’s Stand. Australian raider Artorius (4-1) finished fourth in the field of 16.
U.S.-based Big Invasion (12-1), who finished second to Caravel only two weeks ago in the Jaipur (G1) at Belmont Park, wound up 13th on Saturday. Owned by Dean and Patti Reeves, trained by Christophe Clément and ridden by Jim Crowley, the 4-year-old Declaration of War colt weakened in the last quarter-mile.
Of the nine horses who went over from America this week, only Crimson Advocate in the Queen Mary (G2) on Wednesday was a 2023 Royal Ascot winner.
| U.S. at Royal Ascot | Race | Place | Trainer | Odds | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fandom | Coventry (G2) | 11th | Wesley Ward | 11-1 | John Velázquez |
| Twilight Gleaming | King’s Stand (G1) | 16th | Wesley Ward | 14-1 | John Velázquez |
| Crimson Advocate | Queen Mary (G2) | 1st | George Weaver | 9-1 | John Velázquez |
| Cynane | Queen Mary (G2) | 10th | Tom Morley | 18-1 | Javier Castellano |
| Bündchen | Queen Mary (G2) | 22nd | Wesley Ward | 40-1 | Joel Rosario |
| Classic Causeway | Pr. of Wales’s (G1) | 6th | Kenny McPeek | 100-1 | Julien Leparoux |
| No Nay Mets | Norfolk (G2) | 9th | George Weaver | 13-2 | Frankie Dettori |
| American Rascal | Norfolk (G2) | 13th | Wesley Ward | 4-1 | Joel Rosario |
| Big Invasion | QEII Jubilee (G1) | 13th | Christophe Clément | 7-1 | Jim Crowley |
Pyledrive comes back, wins Hardwicke
Pyledriver (7-2) returned with a bang for co-trainers William Muir and Chris Grassick in the 1 1/2-mile Hardwicke (G2) for older horses, providing rider P.J. McDonald with a first Royal Ascot winner in the process. In his first race since winning last year’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth (G1), Pyledriver traveled smoothly into contention and went away from the opposition to score by a little more than a length. There was a stewards’ inquiry after Pyledriver edged to his right, but the result never looked in doubt. West Wind Blows backed up his last-out, Group 3 win at ParisLongchamp to take second, a length in front of Changingoftheguard in third.
O’Brien, Age of Kings score in Jersey
Age Of Kings looked like the inferior starter for trainer Aidan O’Brien, but the 22-1 long shot proved himself to be much more than that in the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds. Having beaten only one home on his return in the Irish 2,000 Guineas (G1) last month, the son of Kingman was a different proposition under Wayne Lordan as he stayed on bravely to score by a length. Zoology and Streets Of Gold filled the places in a bunch for the minor honors.
Watson, Doyle win again, this time in Wokingham
Saint Lawrence (22-1) made it three wins this week for trainer Archie Watson and jockey Hollie Doyle when he scorched home from the rear to land the six-furlong Wokingham Handicap for 3-year-olds and up. John Deer’s 5-year-old, who was having his first start for Watson, challenged for the lead entering the final furlong and stayed on best to score by a length. Apollo One (11-1) finished second, Juan Les Pins (22-1) third and Mums Tipple (11-1) fourth. Watson and Doyle combined to win the King’s Stand on Tuesday with Bradsell and Friday’s Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap with Rhythm N Hooves.
Snellen is victorious in Chesham
Trainer Gavin Cromwell and jockey Gary Carroll combined successfully for the second time at Royal Ascot, this time with Snellen (12-1) in the listed Chesham Stakes for 2-year-olds following Quick Suzy’s win in the 2021 Queen Mary (G2). A debut winner at Limerick 10 days ago, Snellen led on the stand side entering the final eighth of a mile in the seven-furlong race and had to repel the challenge of 7-4 favorite Pearls And Rubies, who got rolling down the center of the track. Both fillies were wayward toward the finish with a head separating them at the line. There was a dead-heat for third between Golden Mind and Oddyssey.
Burdett Road scores in Golden Gates
Neil Callan began his Royal Ascot in style and ended it in similar fashion after guiding Burdett Road to a swooping victory in the 1 1/4-mile Golden Gates Handicap for 3-year-olds. Callan partnered Triple Time to a 33-1 success in the opening Queen Anne (G1) on Tuesday. Having ridden at Newmarket on Friday, he returned to strike on 20-1 chance Burdett Road. The winner, who provided trainer Michael Bell with a ninth Royal Ascot success, crossed the line three-quarters of a length ahead of Lion Of War with top weight Local Dynasty almost three lengths farther back in third. There was no fairytale ending for the retiring Frankie Dettori, whose mount Knockbrex dropped away having led early. Dettori ended the week with four wins and a career total of 81 Royal Ascot victories.
Moore seals riding title, wins Queen Alexandra
Ryan Moore put the seal on the Royal Ascot riding title by lifting home the favorite Dawn Rising (2-1) in the concluding, 2 3/4-mile Queen Alexandra Stakes for older stayers. The Joseph O’Brien-trained 6-year-old was always close to the pace under Moore, who kicked for home off the final turn. His mount kept finding what he needed to repel the challenge of The Grand Visir by a half-length. Dawn Rising, who carried the colors of legendary owner J.P. McManus, became the 12th Ireland-trained winner of the meeting.
Brant is part of Coolmore’s domination of titles
Coolmore partnerships consisting of Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant and Georg von Opel’s Westerberg operation took the leading owner title at Royal Ascot for a fourth time following an exceptional week that yielded four winners.
All those victories were handled by Aidan O’Brien, who claimed a 12th training title at the meet. His four wins were tied with John and Thady Gosden, but O’Brien assumed the lead by virtue of more second-place results.
Moore rode three of those triumphs and ended the week with six victories to secure a 10th riding title. His Royal Ascot career win total stands at 79.