ROYAL ASCOT 2015 ARTICLES

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
FIRST DAY, TUESDAY, JUNE 16
MARKET MOVERS - PUNTERS FEELING THE FORCE
Hong Kong challenger Able Friend has been the centre of attention for bookmakers
ahead of today’s Group One Queen Anne Stakes, the opening race of Royal Ascot at
2.30pm. John Moore’s six-year-old is unbeaten in his last six starts and has been
backed into 11/4 from 3/1 with Paddy Power. Ladbrokes and Betfair by contrast have
reported Able Friend as friendless in the betting, drifting to 11/4 from 9/4 with both
firms. Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams said: “Able Friend has been a real drifter
with us this morning. There has been no substantial support for the horse.” At a
bigger price, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Cougar Mountain has dropped to 25/1 from
40/1 with Sky Bet.
Air Force Blue is the significant mover in the Coventry Stakes. The two-year-old
trained by Aidan O’Brien, won a maiden at the Curragh in May and is now 6/1 from
7/1 with Ladbrokes and 13/2 from 8/1 with Sky Bet. Betfair have reported Air Force
Blue to be one of their best backed horses of the day, now 6/1 from 7/1.
The David O’Meara-trained G Force has attracted support for the Group One King’s
Stand Stakes. The Betfred Sprint Cup winner is now 10/1 from 12/1 with Paddy
Power, 10/1 from 14/1 with Ladbrokes and 9/1 from 12/1 with Sky Bet. Betfair have
constricted the price of Mecca’s Angel into 11/2 from 8/1.
Make Believe is the market mover in the Group One St James’s Palace Stakes. The
Andre Fabre-trained colt is 10/3 from 7/2 with Betfair. The QIPCO 2000 Guineas
winner Gleneagles is the big drifter with the same company. The firm make Aidan
O’Brien’s three-year-old 4/6 to win the mile contest. Betfair spokesman Barry Orr
said: “We are keen to take on Gleneagles. We think if Make Believe can get a lead
he will be hard to peg back.”
The Nicky Henderson-trained Broxbourne is the principal market mover in the fifth
race of the day, the Ascot Handicap. The six-year-old is 12/1 from 14/1 with Paddy
Power and 11/1 from 14/1 with Sky Bet. Noble Silk, the mount of Oisin Murphy, is
now 22/1 from 33/1 with Sky Bet. Ladbrokes have reported the constriction in
Shwaiman’s price dropping to 16/1 from 20/1, whilst also seeing a move for the Sir
Mark Prescott-trained Big Thunder, 16/1 from 25/1.
Steady Pace has been all the rage for the final race of day one of the Royal Meeting;
the Windsor Castle Stakes. Saeed Bin Suroor’s charge won impressively on his first
start at Ascot before finishing a creditable third in a listed contest at Sandown. The
two-year-old is now 6/1 from 9/1 with Sky Bet and 6/1 from 8/1 with Ladbrokes. The
Jim Bolger-trained Ard San Aer is now 12/1 from 16/1 with Betfair.
TU8.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
QUEEN ANNE STAKES – JOCKEYS ON GROUND
GROUND IS QUICK
Jockeys who rode in the first race of the Royal Meeting, the Group One
Queen Anne Stakes, thought the ground was generally riding good to firm.
Pierre-Charles Boudot, on second-placed Esoterique, believed the ground
was: “Quite firm”
Ryan Moore, aboard third-placed Cougar Mountain, described the ground as:
“Good to firm.”
Richard Hughes, rider of Toormore (4th), said: “Good to firm.”
James Doyle, jockey of Night of Thunder (5th), said the ground was: “Very
quick; good to firm.”
Joao Moreira, jockey of Able Friend (6th), said the ground was: “Good to firm
ground out there.”
Jim Crowley, partner of Here Comes When (7th), said: “It is quick but there is
a nice covering of grass.”
Silvestre de Sousa, rider of Glory Awaits (8th), thought: “It was very quick;
definitely good to firm.”
Non-Runners
Mecca’s Angel is a non-runner in the King’s Stand Stakes due to the going.
Belardo is a non-runner in the St James’s Palace Stakes due to the going.
Going
After the first race, the official going was changed to Good to Firm from Good,
Good to Firm in places.
Tu15.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
Coventry Stakes – Winning Jockey Quotes
Buick strikes on Buratino
William Buick registered his first success of the 2015 Royal Meeting with
Buratino recording a decisive two length victory in the Coventry Stakes.
Buick was able to get cover for the Mark Johnston-trained two-year-old before
unleashing Buratino’s devastating turn of foot in the final furlong. Buick said:
“We had a pretty good run through. He is not the fastest away but he has got
a great finishing kick. It was great that we got an uninterrupted run and I could
ride him as I liked.
“It is a long last furlong here at Ascot and I would have liked to have waited a
bit longer but you have to go when you’re ready and he won really well. He is
one of the best two year olds around.”
Buratino had won well at Epsom on his last start and Buick suggested the
horse is improving all the time. He remarked: “He is a horse that has come on
for every run. Mark Johnston had him spot on and he should come on again.
His experience round Epsom last time helped him a fair bit today as he was
more experienced than many other runners.”
As for the future, the jockey was also optimistic that Buratino could develop
into a smart three-year-old. He said: “The horse is a very good two-year-old
and I have no doubt that he could get seven furlongs. Let’s take everything
one step at a time and see how he continues to progress. It seemed like the
field was pretty strung out so it felt like a good performance.”
Buick is in his first season as a retained jockey for Godolphin and the relief to
get a winner on the board early at the meeting was evident. He added: “It is
huge to get a winner on the board so early. It is a big week for Sheikh
Mohammed and Godolphin so it is good to get the first one out the way.”
Tu18.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
Race 2: Coventry Stakes
Placed quotes
MOORE HAPPY WITH AIR FORCE BLUE
Ryan Moore rode Air Force Blue, trained by Aidan O’Brien, into second place
in the Group Two Coventry Stakes, two lengths behind the winner Buratino.
Moore said: “He was fine at that trip, travelled nicely and then he saw it out
really well.”
Harry Herbert, racing manager of Al Sha qab Racing, owners of third-placed
Eltezam, was pleased with the Kodiac colt’s efforts.
He said: “He’s run a hell of a race, so we will take a view either to go to
Newmarket or wait and go to Goodwood for the Vintage Stakes. We’ll see
how he comes out of the race. He got a little bit warm in the parade ring, but
he’s run a fantastic race.”
Eltezam was ridden by Frankie Dettori, who said: “He travelled ok today, he
just got quite warm. He would be the sort of horse who may in time go up in
distance and that could suit him.”
Tu19.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
Group One King’s Stand Stakes
Place quotes
Gask Gutted after Medicean Man’s Near Miss
Trainer Jeremy Gask was left wondering what could have been after 50/1 shot Medicean Man
was headed close home by Goldream and beaten a short-head. The Warminster trainer said:
“I’ve never been happier to finish second but at the same time it is frustrating. It was a bob of
the heads and his head was up right at the line. He would have fulfilled a life ambition to win
this race but we have to be pleased with that.
“Not everything went to plan as he did get exposed early on and he would have liked more
cover early on but it was still a great performance.”
Gask paid credit to the courage of the horse: “He is nine years old and so to run like that is
unbelievable. I really thought he had it. He is a wonderful horse - we have never really had a
day’s problem with him. He is a great horse to train.”
The trainer also spoke highly of Joao Moreira who came in for the ride as a late replacement
for Damien Oliver: “Joao wasn’t going to ride him initially as we wanted Damien Oliver but he
got injured. However, Joao was a magnificent replacement and he has given the horse a
great ride. So much credit has to go to the horse and jockey who were so brave.
As to the future, Gask is keen in the long run to take the horse back to Meydan next year. He
added: “He didn’t run in the Al Quoz Sprint this year which I thought would have favoured him
as he likes Dubai and it is a good place to start the season off for him. He never really has
many early season targets so we will look to go back there next year and hopefully he can
come back for this race again in 12 months time. Most of his targets are always in the second
half of the season so we can now decide where we want to go next.”
Angus Gold, racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, was pleased with the
performance of third-placed Muthmir. He remarked: “The horse has ran a fabulous race. I
thought the horses were coming across so Paul Hanagan had to go through a gap, so he had
to go 100 yards earlier than he would have liked. Paul felt if he had been able to sit for
another 100 yards that would have really helped the horse - he may have been able to use
his turn of speed. No-one is complaining; he has run brilliantly and we can have no real
excuses. He settled pretty well and he is right up there with the best of them in the sprinting
ranks. I hope he can have his day in one of these big races soon and he keeps on improving.
“He is a horse who can just switch off and then can go flat out when asked to. He is going the
right way and we have to be happy with that. We have no real plans at the moment but we felt
he is better at five furlongs. He doesn’t want two races quite quickly after one another so we
will space out his races and have a look.”
Andrea Atzeni, jockey of fourth-placed Pearl Secret thought the quick ground and draw may
have cost his charge. He said: “The draw may have cost me as I was drawn to the other side
of all the action that was going on up front. We were just a little too far from the other side and
so we had nothing to aim for up front because of that. He was a little too keen for his own
good early on but he has run an absolute blinder and we are very pleased. I just think the
ground was against him a little. If it had been a little softer, he may have got there but to run
on that well on ground he may not have liked was great.”
Tu22.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
St James’s Palace Stakes – Winning Jockey Quotes
MOORE STRIKES ON GLENEAGLES
Ryan Moore recorded a decisive victory aboard dual Guineas
winner Gleneagles in the St James’s Palace Stakes. Moore
stalked the leaders on the son of Galileo before blitzing the
opposition with a devastating turn of foot to record a two and a
half-length victory.
Moore said; “He went really well, settling nicely and I was able to
drop in him. I’m really happy with the performance.
“He was impressive in both the English and Irish Guineas and
things didn’t work out perfectly for him in those two races but he
has won really well here today. I didn’t think Frankie Dettori was
going to lead on Consort. I know the horse from home and he
stays very well so I made sure to track him.”
Moore was effusive in his praise of the three-year-old. He
remarked: “This horse has got a very good turn of foot. It was a
muddling race - it was a bit messy early and Frankie got his own
way in front. He has made up three lengths there and he is just a
pleasure to ride. I think that he is getting better.”
As for the future, Moore suggested the horse could handle a step
up in distance if asked to. He said: “He could get a little further but
he has plenty of pace so there’s no real need. I am sure plans will
be made for him later on.”
Moore added: “Royal Ascot and riding proper horses - that’s why
we do it. You want to ride the best horses and he’s about the best
one of his generation at the minute.”
Tu26.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
Ascot Handicap – Winning Jockey and Trainer Quotes
WARRIOR BATTLES ON GAMELY
The Willie Mullins-trained Clondaw Warrior stayed on gamely to win the Ascot
Handicap by half a length under Ryan Moore. The eight-year-old was out the
back for most of the two and a half mile race before being brought to the front
by Moore inside the final furlong. It was an 8.2/1 double for Moore after his
success on Gleneagles.
Mullins said: “None of us gave Ryan any order on how to ride him. We let him
do what he wanted as he is so good round here.
“The only thing I said to Ryan was that the horse had one burst of speed. I
thought that had finished with 100 yards remaining, when the runner-up tried
to come upsides, but Clondaw Warrior pulled it out again. Everything went
great for him.
“I think the ground made the difference as he never pulled out that sort of
effort over hurdles. He enjoyed that really quick fast ground. I didn’t think he
would be able to get back up because he normally just has that one burst but
thankfully he found more today.”
As for the future, Mullins will now send the horse for a tilt at the Galway
Hurdle. He added: “This was the plan to come here as the owners wanted a
runner at Royal Ascot. We felt we had to take our chance and it worked. The
Galway Hurdle will be the second part of the plan.”
Moore said the horse’s staying power was the pivotal factor: “I was flat out the
whole way, but this horse stays so well and that has made a big difference.
“I was never going well, but when we turned in the leaders started coming
back and I knew he would keep going.”
Moore was effusive in his praise of the winning trainer. He added: “I would say
Willie (Mullins) has trained him for this race for a long time and, when it comes
to targeting these races, there are few better than him.”
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ROYAL ASCOT 2015
Windsor Castle Stakes – Placed Quotes
RYAN OVER THE MOON WITH AREEN
Trainer Kevin Ryan was delighted with the run of Areen, who stayed on
strongly under Jamie Spencer to finish second by a head to Washington DC
in the Windsor Castle Stakes. The son of Kodiac had lost his chance at
Sandown last time after being shoved at the start, and Ryan was pleased the
horse could show his true credentials today.
He said: “He had a bad draw at Sandown and the horse inside him jumped
and went left-handed, shoving him into the middle of the track. That is why
Jamie Spencer rides for us. He knew his chance had gone and looked after
the horse in that race and that is the reason why he has run so well today.
Jamie has given him a superb ride.
“We were pretty confident he was going to run a big race today. I was glad I
ran him at Sandown as that gave him experience. It really benefited the horse,
and just looking at him now he is going to grow and mature.”
As for the future, Ryan underlined that the step up to six furlongs would not
hold any issues for the two-year-old. He remarked: “We will give him three or
four weeks off now. Six furlongs won’t be a problem for him. I’ll sit down with
Jamie after Royal Ascot and decide where to go with him.
“That looked on paper a harder race than the Norfolk Stakes, where I also
could have run him. We had to run him in one of the two races and we chose
this one. There is no easy option in these big races and so we are absolutely
delighted with the horse.”
James Doyle was also happy with the run of Steady Pace. The Saeed Bin
Suroor-trained colt stayed on well under Doyle to finish third. He said: “We are
really pleased with him, it was a smashing run. Something was amiss at
Sandown last time and that was his true running here today. We’re delighted.”
Tu35.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
SECOND DAY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
PUNTERS GOING LOCO FOR ACAPULCO
One-time Derby hope Sir Isaac New ton has been backed ahead of the first race on day tw o of the Royal Meeting, the
Jersey Stakes (2:30pm). The son of Galileo bolted up in a Gow ran Park maiden last time and Ryan Moore w ill be
targeting his fourth w inner of the meeting. Sky Bet make the Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old 8/1 from11/1, w hile
Betfair have dropped the horse’s price to 10/1 from 12/1. Betfair spokesman Barry Orr said: ‘’Multiples w ill w ell and
truly be on the move if Moore rides the first w inner as w e have seen massive business on all his six rides in cross
multiple bets.” Paddy Pow er and Ladbrokes have also reported support for the William Haggas-trained Hathal w ho is
now 12/1 from 14/1 w ith both firms.
The Wesley Ward-trained Acapulco is the principal mover for the Queen Mary Stakes (3:05pm). The tw o-year-old
bids to provide his trainer w ith a fifth Royal Ascot w inner and is now 4/1 from 9/2 w ith Paddy Pow er, 9/2 from 11/2
w ith Betfair and 4/1 from 5/1 w ith Sky Bet, Ladbrokes and Boylesports. The Mark Johnston-trained pair Rah Rah and
Delizia have also seen support. Sky Bet have constricted the price of Rah Rah to 11/1 from 12/1, w hilst Ladbrokes
make Delizia 9/1 from 12/1.
Integral is the w arm favourite for the third race of the afternoon, the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (3.40pm). The Sir
Michael Stoute-trained mare w on this race last year and has been w ellsupported to do so again today. Paddy Pow er
and Boylesports have shortened the five-year-old to 5/6 from evens, w hilst Sky Bet go 10/11 from evens and Betfair
10/11 from 11/10.
Spielberg, trained in Japan by Kazuo Fujisaw a, is a mover for the Group One Prince of Wales’s Stakes (4.20pm).
The six-year-old is now 8/1 from9/1 w ith Paddy Pow er. Ladbrokes have also reported support for French raider Gailo
Chop w ho w as second to Solow on his last start. He is now 10/1 from 12/1. Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams
said: “Punters are trying to look beyond the front runners in the market so the money for Gailo Chop is interesting.”
Boylesports have also reported support for the Dermot Weld-trained Free Eagle. The four-year-old w as third in the
QIPCO Champion Stakes last year and is now 3/1 from 100/30.
The Karl Burke-trained You’re Fired has been w ell backed for the Royal Hunt Cup (5pm). The four-year-old w as a
creditable second at Yorklast time, w ith Betfair constricting his price to 14/1 from 20/1. Frankie Dettori’s mount Ayaar
is now 10/1 from11/1 w ith Betfair. Also, Ladbrokes have decreased the prices on Speculative Bid to 10/1 from 12/1
and Munaaser 16/1 from 20/1.
Godolphin bids to gain a second w in of the Royal Meeting courtesy of Alw ays Smile in the Sandringham Handicap
(5.35pm). The daughter of Cape Cross is unbeaten in three starts, and is now 5/2 from 11/4 w ith Sky Bet. Ladbrokes
make the filly 5/2 from 7/2, w ith the firm reporting the horse to be “the best backed horse of the day w ith us.”
Reflecting on yesterday’s results, Betfair, Ladbrokes and Paddy Pow er said that Ryan Moore’s 54/1 treble had
dented their coffers. It w as reported that the industry as a w hole lost £10 million yesterday, w ith bookmakers hoping
day tw o of the Royal Meeting provides some sort of reprieve.
Betfair spokesman Barry Orr, said the victories enjoyed by Ryan Moore aboard Gleneagles, Washington DC and
Clondaw Warrior, w ere a blow for the firm. He remarked: “Ryan Moore’s treble w as a bad result. We have already
paid out on Ryan Moore to be top jockey at 1/12 after going a top price 4/9 before the meeting. Looking ahead to
today, he has another good book of rides.
“It w as a bad day but w e w ill not be so far behind if w e get a few good results today.”
Paul Binfield, representative for Paddy Pow er, said that Sole Pow er’s defeat in the King’s Stand w as a saving grace
for the company. He remarked: “Gleneagles and Clondaw Warrior w ere both heavily supported. Ironically, it w as a
horse that has cost us so many times in the past, Sole Pow er, w ho saved us yesterday.”
Binfield added: “It w asn’t an absolute disaster but w e are behind for the w eek. We w ould how ever be optimistic that
w e could pull it back.”
Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams said: “We are on the back foot. It w as not the best day in the w orld but w e
hope to recoup some losses today.”
W5.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
POSSIBLE ROYAL ASCOT LANDMARKS
Frankie Dettori today has the opportunity to ride his 50th Royal Ascot w inner. His mounts today are:
Hathal – Jersey Stakes
Bruised Orange – Queen Mary Stakes
Euro Charline – Duke of Cambridge Stakes
Western Hymn – Prince of Wales’s Stakes
Ayaar – Royal Hunt Cup
Osaila – Sandringham Handicap
Aidan O’Brien bids to w in a fourth Jersey stakes today. The Ballydoyle handler has also w on the race in tw o of the
past three years. Father Frost and Sir Isaac New ton could augment O’Brien’s record.
Richard Hughes has w on the Jersey Stakes three times. He is aboard Ivaw ood this afternoon.
Barry Hills attempts to w in his third Jersey Stakes today. He trains Fadhayyil.
Wesley Ward bids for a second victory in the Queen Mary Stakes. Jealous Again w as successfulfor the US trainer in
2009 and he runs Acapulco and Bruised Orange today.
Richard Hughes is after a third victory in the Queen Mary Stakes aboard Ring Of Truth. The jockey w on the race in
2006 and 2011.
Integral goes for back-to-back victories in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes, having w on the race under Ryan Moore
last year.
Sir Michael Stoute aims to w in his fifth Duke of Cambridge Stakes after success in 2004, 2005, 2010 and 2014.
Ryan Moore seeks a third success in today’s Duke of Cambridge Stakes. He w as victorious in 2010 and 2014.
Cheveley Park Stud has ow ned four winnersof the Duke of Cambridge Stakes. Integral bids to improve that record to
five this afternoon.
Ectot and Gailo Chop are out to improve the record of French-trained w inners of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
French-trained horses have been victorious five times.
John Gosden bids to record back-to-backvictories in today’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes. He trained The Fugue to w in
last year and runs Western Hymn today. The New market trainer also attempts to w in the race for the fourth time
follow ing victories in 1994, 1995 and 2014.
Frankie Dettori aims to w in his fourth Prince of Wales’s Stakes. He w as successful in 2001, 2002 and 2011 and
partners Western Hymn.
Jamie Osborne, Adam Kirby and Field Of Dream attempt to replicate their successin the Royal Hunt Cup a year ago.
Trainer George Baker bids to w in a second Royal Hunt Cup in three years. He runs Boomshackerlacker and Jack’s
Revenge today.
Jimmy Fortune is after a third Royal Hunt Cup. He rides Spark Plug today and w as previously successfulin 2002 and
2007.
Paul Hanagan w ill register consecutive victories in the Sandringham Handicap if Sulaalaat can w in today. He rode
Muteela to victory last year.
Richard Kingscote has ridden the w inner in tw o of the last four runnings of the Sandringham Handicap. He bids to
make that three in five courtesy of Hundi.
Michael Bell has trained the w inner of the Sandringham Handicap tw ice before. He runs Touchline today, w ho is
ow ned by Her Majesty The Queen, seeking her 23rd Royal Ascot success. Her Majesty also ow ns Pack Together in
the Sandringham Handicap and Ring Of Truth in the Queen Mary Stakes.
W9.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
JERSEY STAKES - JOCKEYS ON GROUND
GROUND IS QUICK
Jockeys who rode in the first race of day two of the Royal Meeting thought the
ground was quick.
Jim Crowley, partner of the half-length winner Dutch Connection, said: “It is
lighting quick fast ground out there.”
Paul Hanagan, partner of second-placed Fadhayyil, said: “the ground was
very firm.”
Charles Bishop, aboard third-placed Bossy Guest, said: “The ground was
really quick.”
Pat Dobbs, jockey of Tupi (4th), thought the ground was: “That was very
quick. The ground is firm.”
James Doyle, partner of Toscanini (5th), said: “It was very quick. The ground
is firm.”
Ryan Moore, on Sir Isaac Newton (6th), believed it was: “very firm ground out
there.”
Martin Harley, on Fanciful Angel (7th), believed the ground was: “Firm.”
Silvestre de Sousa, rider of Mister Universe (8th), remarked that the ground
was: “Firm.”
Joseph O’Brien, partner of Father Frost (9th) remarked: “It is lovely ground.”
Frankie Dettori, jockey of Hathal (10th), described the ground as: “Really
quick firm ground.”
Jamie Spencer, rider of Volatile (12th), said: “Quick ground.”
Andrea Atzeni, rider of Aces (13th), remarked that the ground was: “Very
quick.”
William Buick, riding Devonshire (15th), believed it was: “Firm.”
Pat Cosgrave, rider of Harry Hurricane (16th), said: “Very fast firm ground.”
W15.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
Jersey Stakes – Winning Jockey Quotes
CROWLEY’S CONNECTION WITH DUTCH
Jim Crowley was delighted to ride his first winner of the 2015
Royal Meeting, gaining a gutsy successon the Charlie Hills-trained
Dutch Connection. The two-year-old travelled well under Crowley,
finding cover before showing a good turn of foot to win by half a
length.
The jockey thought that the mixture of cover during the race and
the quick ground were vital for the son of Dutch Art. Crowley said:
“It is the first time I have sat on the horse. He had some very smart
form coming into the race and the drop back to seven furlongs was
his thing as was the quick ground.
“It is very quick ground. It was the first time I have ridden him but
the way he moved, he loved the ground.”
“The race couldn’t have worked out any better. He got a lovely tow
into the race and he picked up nicely. We got a great run through
and I was lucky I had the right horses around me to tow me into
the race which is what you need.
“I was probably in front soon enough, but when I angled him out I
had to go.
As for the future, Crowley suggested the horse may be best at
today’s trip, seven furlongs. “This is a very good division. He will
probably be alright over an easy mile. Clearly his better trip is
seven”.
W13.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
DOYLE SOLVES A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA
James Doyle rode his first winner of the 2015 Royal Meeting
aboard 25/1 shot Amazing Maria. The David O’Meara-trained four-
year-old was able to find cover under Doyle before quickening up
smartly to win by two lengths.
Doyle was adamant that his ability to get cover on the filly was
pivotal today. He said: “Today I just got her to drop her head, relax
and get loads of cover and I was hoping they would get racing a
fair way out. They actually went quite steady and then William
Buick on Rizeena upped the pace and we got racing from about
halfway.
“My filly was push button today. It was a great effortfrom the whole
team and I was just a small part in it.”
Doyle also made reference to the daughter of Mastercraftsman’s
other two runs this season at Ascot and the Curragh. On both
occasions, it was the filly’s inability to find cover which had ruined
her chances. “When she ran at Ascot before, she got sucked into
the race a bit soon and so David O’Meara said to me to just let her
enjoy herself.
“We went to Ireland at the Curragh and three horses all raced
along the rail and I couldn’t give this filly any cover the whole race
so she was just racing a bit gassy but still ran a hell of a race.
Today I was able to get switched off and she quickened up really
well.”
W21.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
SMULLEN FLIES HIGH WITH FREE EAGLE
Pat Smullen registered his first success of the 2015 Royal Meeting with a game
success on board 5/2 favourite Free Eagle in the Group One Prince of Wales’s
Stakes. The Dermot Weld-trained four-year-old held on resolutely under Smullen to
repel a late challenge from the Kevin Ryan-trained The Grey Gatsby, to win by a
short-head.
Smullen had to take up the lead earlier than he had anticipated on the son of High
Chaparral, but despite a 242 day absence, the horse galloped all the way to the line.
Smullen said: “He has obviously been off for such a while and the race went very
steady and that is why I wanted to sit and wait on him. I probably sat closer than I
had anticipated beforehand and committed earlier than I thought, but that is how the
race unfolded.
“I am relieved because I have been saying for the last two years how good this horse
is and thankfully he is starting to show it. He thrived on that ground. He is a wonderful
horse who has a great action and that has played to his strengths today.
“He is just a very good horse and he was able to show on that very quick summer
ground what a fantastic horse he is.”
The Irish jockey also suggested the step up to a mile and a half would not hold any
issues for the colt. He remarked: “While he has plenty of pace, I do think he will
improve going further. He galloped all the way to the line and on that evidence he
would get a mile and a half.
“The Irish Champion Stakes would obviously be a possible but the race I would love
to win is the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.”
Smullen also paid tribute to Free Eagle’s trainer Dermot Weld. The Irish handler has
slowly brought the horse along and today’s result was evidence of a masterful piece
of training by Weld.
“Smullen said: “I can’t tell you how good a training performance that was. It has not
been anything but difficult as there is nothing easy about getting Free Eagle here
today.
“Truth be known I didn’t think he was going to show his true ability here today
because it has been a troubled interruption. Dermot backed off and was patient with
him, giving the horse the time he needed, he got him fresh.
“Jockeys can make mistakes by going too soon or trainers can by doing one more
piece of work but Dermot didn’t and he put it on trust to let the horse show good he
was and it paid off today.
“I didn’t think I have got as much pleasure from riding a winner as I did from him to be
honest.”W26.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
GATSBY STARS IN DEFEAT
The Grey Gatsby’s defeat in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes will surely be remembered
as one of the hard-luck stories of Royal Ascot 2015.
When the eventual winner, Free Eagle, was sent on by jockey Pat Smullen, Frankie
Dettori on third-placed Western Hymn made the same move on his outside, with the
result that The Grey Gatsby became held in. It was not until Western Hymn began to
fade that Jamie Spencer was able to drive The Grey Gatsby for the line, and he
made up more than a length inside the final furlong before going down by a short-
head.
Kevin Ryan, who trains the runner-up, was not dejected, and said: “I’m not
disappointed, and you probably think I should be, but I’ve got the horse back to his
best and I’m looking forward to the big races ahead. He’s in the Eclipse, the King
George and the Juddmonte, but it’s unfortunate we don’t have a pacemaker for him,
which is what he needs. If he was owned by one of the big firms, he would have a
pacemaker to ensure an end-to-end gallop, but this was always our first aim and no
one can say we didn’t get it right.
“Over the first two furlongs I thought to myself ‘they are going a good gallop here’, but
then they half pulled up, and my horse became half locked-up. But it was a great
horse race and he is back to his best. Jamie would have liked to get out a lot earlier,
but you can’t barge your way out and that’s the rub of the green in racing. After the
line he was in front.
“I knew he was in great shape, and I didn’t hide the fact that when we ran him in
Ireland [when fourth in the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup] it was a prep run for this
meeting. That might sound stupid given it was a Group One race, but he has a lot of
races ahead and I was quietly confident he would put up a big show today.
“In racing there are often tiny margins, and it was a great training performance by
Dermot Weld with the winner.
“For me there is pleasure in knowing I never lost faith in the horse – he had a break
after he ran in Dubai and we knew he was heavy when he ran in Ireland. He does
himself well, and far better than the trainer!”
John Gosden, the trainer of Western Hymn, also lamented the pace at which the race
was run, and said he wished US challenger California Chrome had run as intended
before a foot injury intervened. Gosden said: “That was a fabulous run. That is top
draw racing and he acquitted himself with real credit; it was a brilliant run. We
probably wished we had more pace to run at, and poor old California Chrome could
have helped us with that. We are over the moon with him.”

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
GM HOPKINS FOR GOSDEN & GEFFEN PLUS MOORE’S
FIFTH WIN
John Gosden’s GM Hopkins was a smart winner of the Royal Hunt Cup. The four-year-old, an 8/1
chance, was held up under Ryan Moore before staying on steadily to register a neck success over
Temptress.
The son of Dubawi’s abilityto find cover under Moore was seen as the key factor for a horse, who when
he hits the front, does not always find a lot. Gosden said: “It was a very high standard race. We didn’t
think the pace was on our side but it turned out that it was.
“Ryan rode a beautiful race,covered him up well and then said to me he got there too soon but he was
following Frankie Dettori and he had to go. It is a big moment to win the Hunt Cup.”
The Newmarket handler made reference to the four-year-old’s creditable second at Newbury last time
which had helped get the gelding primed for today’s assignment. He remarked: “He was unlucky at
Newbury last time but today things fell right. He ran a super race then and went up six pounds. To win
these big handicaps, now you can’t be too clever with the weights because you just don’t get into the
race.”
As for the future Gosden added: “I think we will go to France for a Listed race.”
It was a first Royal Ascot success for owner Robin Geffen who owns horses on the Flat and over the
jumps. Geffen said: “It is just fantastic I have never won a race at Ascot on the Flat or over jumps and it
is totally thanks to John we are here. It was a brilliant race.
“This horse had his moments. He was favourite for the Lincoln and it didn’t go our way that day as he
wasn’trightbut today he was right and really sharp.He was given a brilliantride in a race with 30 horses
and the field splitinto two groups.This horse has to come late and it is not an armchair ride. We will find
a Listed race and who knows there may be a Group Three in him.”
The success ofGM Hopkins capped a memorable day for Geffen who had earlier seen Western Hymn
finish a good third in the Group One Prince of Wales’s Stakes. The owner said: “GM Hopkins and
Western Hymn are both fantastic horses, but the one thing you need is a brilliant trainer and I have got
the best trainer in the world, I really do.
“Western Hymn ran a blinder on ground on the fast side for him. He was given a brilliant ride by Frankie
Dettori and he has improved this year. Many horses don’tgo on from three to four but having him gelded
was the making of him and we have been lucky to have him.
“We have a lot left to look forward to with both these horses and we will be back next year in the Prince
of Wales with Western Hymn.”
Geffen added: “We have had some fantastic days but to come third in a Group One and win a Royal
Hunt Cup, which is probably the most competitive mile handicap of the season, is fantastic.”
Moore, gaining his fifth success of Royal Ascot 2015, said: “I was worried where we were drawn
because there wasn’t a lot of pace. Fortunately, they have led us along nicely and we were always just
ahead of the other side.
“My horse has travelled very well and I wanted to wait as long as I could. In the end, I had to go sooner
than I would have liked because Frankie (Dettori) was stopping in front of me.”
W29.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
Sandringham Handicap – Placed Quotes
SHORTER TRIP FOR TOUCHLINE
Trainer Michael Bell was pleased with the run of 15/2 chance
Touchline, owned by Her Majesty The Queen. The three-year-old
finished third behind Osaila and Always Smile but travelled into the
race going nicely before tiring in the closing stages.
Bell said: “She was getting to the leaders and she looked to hold a
great chance but she just got tired and couldn’t keep going. It was
the stiff mile which found her out at the end.”
The Newmarket handler will now look to drop the filly back in trip.
He added: “We will go back in trip with her now and see if there
are any opportunities for her over shorter.”
W34.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
THIRD DAY, THURSDAY, JUNE 18
PUNTERS HOPING KINGFISHER IS CROWNED GOLD CUP
WINNER
Richard Hannon looks to have a strong hand in today’s opening race on the third day Royal Ascot 2015, the
Norfolk Stakes (2.30pm). The Wiltshire handler has the favourite King Of Rooks and the Godolphin-owned Log
Out Island,with the latter being well supported this morning. William Hill have dropped his price to 9/4 from 11/4
and Betfair go 2/1 from 5/2. King Of Rooks is a strong even-money favourite with Boylesports but has been a
slight drifter with Betfair, who now go 11/10 from 10/11.
Time Test, ridden by Frankie Dettori, is a strong favourite for the Tercentenary Stakes (3.05pm). An impressive
winner at Newbury on his seasonal reappearance, the son of Dubawi will aim to give Frankie Dettori his 51st
Royal Ascot success. Betfair and Boylesports make the colt 2/1 from 5/2, whilst Paddy Power go 5/2 from 11/4.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Disegno is also attracting support. The three-year-old will bid to give Ryan Moore
a sixth winner at Royal Ascot 2015. He was narrowlydenied at Chester in May and William Hill make the colt 8/1
from 10/1 while Boylesports go 7/1 from 10/1.
The David Wachman-trained Curvy is a mover in the Ribblesdale Stakes (3.40pm). The daughter of Galileo is
unbeaten in three starts this season and has been backed into 7/1 from 8/1 with Paddy Power and 13/2 from 8/1
with Boylesports. Boylesports representative Leon Blanche said: “There is a lot of each-way money coming for
Curvy. This is all about the Ryan Moore factor and punters are looking at the each-way angle because there is a
solid favourite.” That favourite is the Jim-Bolger trained Pleascach, who is offered at 10/11. Betfair have also
reported money for Pamona, who is 6/1 from 7/1.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Kingfisher is a significant market mover in today’s feature race, the Group One Gold
Cup (4.20pm). O’Brien has won the race six times , including last year with Leading Light. Kingfisher aims to
improve that record today following a smart display at Leopardstown in the Saval Beg Stakes. William Hill have
constricted his price to 8/1 from 11/1 and Paddy Power 9/1 from 12/1. Forgotten Rules is a solid 5/2 favourite with
Boylesports as he attempts to provide DermotWeld and Pat Smullen with a second winner of Royal Ascot 2015,
following Free Eagle’s success in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes yesterday.Betfair have also noted support for the
Willie Mullins-trained Simenon, who is 11/1 from 14/1.
The Godolphin-owned Portage is a notable mover in the Britannia Handicap (5.00pm). The three-year-old is now
9/1 from 10/1 with Boylesports and 10/1 from 11/1 with William Hill. Boylesports report the colt to be their best
backed horse of the day. At a bigger price, War Envoy has dropped to 16/1 from 20/1 for trainer Aidan O’Brien
and jockey Ryan Moore.
Dissolution with Moore riding, attempts to provide Sir Michael Stoute with a first winner of Royal Ascot 2015 in
the King George V Stakes (5.35pm). The son of New Approach is 4/1 from 5/1 with William Hill. Putting Green,
the mount of Cam Hardie, is now 16/1 from 25/1 with Paddy Power and 14/1 from 20/1 with Boylesports. King
Bolete is 13/2 from 7/1 Boylesports.
Reflecting on yesterday’s results, Paul Binfield, spokesman for Paddy Power said: “Yesterday was much better
for us. The victories of Acapulco and Free Eagle were not great. Free Eagle was particularly bad because
punters ignored his lay off and, being an Irish firm, we saw strong support for him.
“However, Ivawood losing was a massive help particularlyafter Richard Hannon had been talking up the horse’s
chances before the race. The winner Dutch Connection was relativelyunconsidered in the market,so that helped
us end up on top. After the first two days, we are still behind but the journey of a thousand miles starts with a
single step and we hope to be up by the end of the week.”
Leon Blanche,representative for Boylesports,said:“It wasn’ta bad day for us.Free Eagle’s win was probablythe
worstresultas that turned into a six-figure loss.If the Grey Gatsby had got up, it would have been a six-figure win
for us. Always Smile’s narrow defeat to Frankie Dettori and Osaila in the last was a great result for us.
“Overall, it was a good day, but we are still behind. However, we do have plenty of chances still to go.”
Th5.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
POSSIBLE ROYAL ASCOT LANDMARKS
Ryan Moore is out to beat his own personal record for Royal Ascot of six winners, which he managed
in 2014. Today he rides: Waterloo Bridge (Norfolk Stakes); Disegno (Tercentary Stakes); Curvy
(Ribblesdale Stakes); Kingfisher (Gold Cup); War Envoy (Britannia Handicap); Dissolution (King
George V Handicap).
Frankie Dettori, Richard Hannon and Al Shaqab Racing target successive victories in the Norfolk
Stakes. They run King Of Rooks. Frankie Dettori has won the Norfolk Stakes three times.
Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore go for back-to-back victories in the Tercentenary Stakes,
following Cannock Chase’s victory last year, with Disegno today. Ryan Moore has won the
Tercentenary Stakes twice as has Sir Michael, in 2014 and 2009.
Aidan O’Brien seeks a third success in the Tercentenary Stakes. Cape Clear Island is out to augment
that record for the Ballydoyle handler.
Aidan O’Brien, Joseph O’Brien and Coolmore were victorious in the Ribblesdale Stakes in 2014,
courtesy of Bracelet. Wedding Vow is their runner in the race today.
Godolphin bids to gain a sixth success in the Ribblesdale Stakes with Entertainment and Pleascach.
Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning target a second Ribblesdale Stakes with Pleascach after Banimpire in
2011.
Frankie Dettori has won the Ribblesdale Stakes on six occasions. He partners Zamoura.
Aidan O’Brien seeks to win his seventh Gold Cup in today’s Group One showpiece. He runs
Kingfisher today.
Kingfisher also bids to provide O’Brien and Coolmore with back-to-back victories in the Gold Cup,
following Leading Light’s victory in 2014.
Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen attempt to win a second Gold Cup. The pair were successful with Rite
Of Passage in 2010 and run Forgotten Rules this year
Ryan Moore will bid to win the Gold Cup for the second time in three years today. He is aboard
Kingfisher and won the race in 2013 on Her Majesty The Queen’s Estimate.
Frankie Dettori has won the Gold Cup five times. He rides Forever Now in this year’s renewal.
Andrew Balding trained the winner of the 2014 renewal of the Britannia Handicap, courtesy of Born In
Bombay. He runs Make It Up.
John Gosden has trained four winners of the Britannia Handicap. He has Malaf and Sugar Boy today.
Saeed Bin Suroor trained Elite Army to success in the 2014 renewal of the King George V Handicap.
He runs Keep In Line in the same contest today.
Sir Michael Stoute has been successful in the King George V Handicap five times. His runners today
are Dissolution, Rib Reserve and Dartmouth.
Mark Johnston has trained five previous winners of the King George V Handicap. He runs Yorkidding.
Th8.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
NORFOLK STAKES – JOCKEYS ON GROUND
GROUND IS STILL QUICK
Jockeys who rode in the first race of day three of Royal Ascot 2015
indicated that the ground was still riding quick.
William Buick, on board the half length second Log Out Island,
remarked: “Good to firm.”
Frankie Dettori, riding third-placed King Of Rooks, believed it was: “Still
very quick. Pretty similar to yesterday.”
James Doyle, on Riflescope (4th), described it as: “Like yesterday. Very
quick.”
Silvestre de Sousa, aboard Rogues’ Gallery (5th), thought it was: “It is
still very quick. I think it could be quicker than yesterday.”
Liam Jones, rider of French Encore (6th), said it was: “Ground very
similar to yesterday.”
Pat Cosgrave, jockey of Ajaya (7th), thought the ground was: “Good to
firm.”
Tom Eaves, partner of Jazz Legend (8th), described the ground as: “It is
very quick ground.”
David Probert, jockey of Ocean Eleven (9th), said: “The ground is very
quick and it feels like it is still very dry.”
James McDonald, on board Shanghai Glory (10th), said: “It is really
quick ground. Good to firm.”
Th17.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
MOORE EQUALS HIS BEST ROYAL ASCOT TOTAL WITH
MORE THAN HALF OF THE MEETING REMAINING
Ryan Moore gained his sixth success of Royal Ascot 2015 in the first race, the Norfolk
Stakes, of the third day, today, equalling his best total for the meeting achieved last year.
Royal Ascot expanded to five days in 2002, from four days previously. Since then, the best
total by a jockey has been six, achieved by Frankie Dettori (2004), Michael Kinane (2005)
and Johnny Murtagh (2008) as well as Moore.
Post-war, the highest total for the four days of Royal Ascot has been eight, gained by Pat
Eddery in 1989 and Lester Piggott in both 1975 and 1965. But the highest totals by riders at
Royal Ascot were achieved in the nineteenth century, with Fred Archer enjoying 12
successes in 1878 and Nat Flatman 11 in 1847.
Ryan Moore said after partnering Waterloo Bridge to success in the Norfolk Stakes: “To be
fair to this horse, he has probably never run on quick ground before. He has been running
on soft ground and not enjoying it. This horse looked magnificent and every one of Aidan’s
horses this week has run great – you can never discount them.
“Waterloo Bridge is a good horse. He travelled the whole way, he picked up and then he had
a little look when he got to the front. It’s a big crowd, a big stand and things – he has never
seen that before. He looks great and has been produced in terrific shape.
“I had confidence. It speaks a lot about Aidan’s knowledge of his horses, what an
unbelievable trainer he is. This horse travelled like the best horse in the race and when I
asked him to go and win, he did it really well.”
Aidan O’Brien, speaking at the press conference after the race, said: “Ryan gave Waterloo
Bridge a great ride today. When Waterloo Bridge got there, Ryan made his mind up and sent
him forward.
“Ryan is an unbelievable rider – everyone knows he is probably the greatest rider we have
seen for a long, long time. We are delighted and privileged to have him working with us –
first of all he is an absolute gentleman, he is 100 per cent straight and genuine and a great
judge of pace. He is fully committed – a real professional in every way.”

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
Tercentenary Stakes – Placed Quotes
MEEHAN DELIGHTED WITH MUSTADEEM
Brian Meehan was pleased with the performance of third placed Mustadeem in the
Tercentenary Stakes, who finished four lengths behind facile winner Time Test. The
son of Arcano led under Paul Hanagan and stuck on resolutely to finish a creditable
third.
Meehan said: “We are delighted with the run. He was just taken on for the lead a
little bit when he needed to have a breather.”
The three-year-old had finished second to Peacock at Newmarket with Meehan
suggesting the horse had improved from that race to finish only three-quarters of a
length behind the same horse today.
He remarked: “He has run a hell of a race and stepped up on his run behind
Peacock at Newmarket. He has improved from Newmarket and I think he will be a
better horse when he is able to lead and get his own way in front. But we are very
pleased with that.”
Future plans are up in the air for the colt but Meehan believes the horse could
handle a step up in trip. The trainer said: “Paul Hanagan thought he would get further
but I am more than comfortable at a mile and a quarter for the moment but Paul said
he could get further if he wanted to step him up in trip.
“If he got a good lead or sat in second or third or something along those lines it
would suit him and we could think about going further. He is a really nice horse.”
Meehan added: “There are no plans at the moment. I have a few things in my head
but there are no targets. I will speak to the owners and see what they think but the
real idea was to come here today, see how he ran here and then decide where to go
with him next.”
Richard Hughes, rider of the three and a quarter length second Peacock, owned by
Her Majesty The Queen, said: “I’d say we were just beaten by the better horse.”
Th20.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
The Ribblesdale Stakes – Winning Quotes
CURVY WINS FOR WACHMAN
Curvy was the gutsy length winner of the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes for trainer David
Wachman and jockey Ryan Moore. The daughter of Galileo had a troubled passage during
the race with Moore managing to get the horse out of trouble inside the last couple of
furlongs. When the 9/2 shot found daylight, she went away to win by a length from even
money favourite Pleascach.
Wachman said: “It was a very messy race and they went no gallop at all. They were
clambering all over each other so she did very well to win such a messy race. A lot of the
horses would not have been suited by the slow gallop but she handled it best of them all.
She finished well and I think she won it quite snugly as she doesn’t do much when she gets
there.
“I was confident that if she managed to get out she would have a great chance because
Pleascach was starting to struggle so I wasn’t too worried about anything.
“When I saw Kevin Manning working away on his filly [Pleascach] I thought we had a
chance. I thought she was going to be second best on the day but it is obviously great that
she has won.”
Curvy has a host of options for possible targets later on in the season and Wachman was
keeping his options open as to where she could end up. He remarked “She will probably
step up to Group One class now and we will just keep her separate from Legatissimo.
“She got a free entry in the Irish Derby for winning the Gallinule and my plan was to come
here and then possibly run in the Irish Derby but we will see what suits, what colts the
owners have to run and what fits in with the plans. You also have the Irish Oaks so we will
look at all the mile and a quarter and mile and a half races.”
Wachman added: “I have a very good jockey at home in Wayne Lordan and Wayne
explained Ryan how to ride her and Ryan carried it out beautifully. It is great to have fourth
winner here at Royal Ascot.”
Moore, registering a 36/1 double on the day and his seventh winner of Royal Ascot 2015,
said: “She has done well to pick up immediately today. She was only doing the minimum at
The Curragh [when she won the Group Three Gallinule Stakes], and she rides like a filly who
always has a bit left.
"I was very worried about [Jim] Bolger’s filly though, she impressed me in the Irish Guineas,
but my filly is improving.”
When asked what had caused the bit of interference in the race, Moore said: "I wasn’t sure –
I think the horse on the inside shifted on to Kevin [Manning] maybe and Kevin shifted on to
me, and I had to re-gather her, and she did well to pick up and win then.”
Th22.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
Gold Cup – Placed Quotes
FORGOTTEN CAN RULE ON SOFTER GROUND
Dermot Weld felt 5/2 favourite Forgotten Rules may not have stayed after he finished
a creditable third in the Gold Cup behind the winner Trip To Paris. The son of Nayef
was cantering under jockey Pat Smullen turning into the home straight and took the
lead two furlongs out before finding no more in the closing stages.
Weld suggested that the two and a half mile trip may have been too far for the
gelding. He said: “I think this distance is as far as he wants to go really. He has been
a winner at two miles and I thought he probably just didn’t quite get home. He has
still run a big race.
“He battled again when headed and he fights back because that is the sort of horse
he is but the distance is the reason I think. There is a big difference between two
miles and two and a half miles. He was cantering at two miles and that is why I think
he didn’t see out the trip.”
The Irish handler did not blame the fast ground for today’s defeat but he believes the
horse will be a different proposition on better ground. He remarked: “It was a close
call about running on the ground but we can’t blame that. On the day, we have just
been beaten by the better horse.
“He is significantly better on soft ground, he cruises on it and that is what he would
have favoured today. With all that said, he ran all the way to the line and he has
finished third in a Gold Cup.”
Weld does not have a specific target for the horse going forward and added: “We will
review the whole thing and see where we go next.”
Kingfisher, trained by Aidan O’Brien was an eye-catching second, having met trouble
in the home straight. Once he found daylight under hat-trick seeking Ryan Moore,
the son of Galileo flew home to finish one and a quarter lengths behind winner Trip
To Paris and a neck ahead of third, Forgotten Rules. O’Brien said: “He ran a great
race so we have to be happy. We were just delighted with him.”
Simenon was running in his third consecutive Gold Cup and stayed on well to take
fourth. His trainer Willie Mullins said: “It was great to come back a third year in a row
and get some nice prize money. It is fantastic to get into the winner’s enclosure and
he has run a fantastic race.”
Th27.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
Britannia Handicap – Winning Jockey Quotes
WAR ENVOY MAKES IT EIGHT FOR MOORE AT ROYAL
ASCOT 2015
Ryan Moore rode his eighth winner at this year’s Royal Meeting
on War Envoy in the mile Britannia Handicap. The son of War
Front displayed a good turn of foot under the three-time
champion jockey to win by a neck.
The victory meant Moore equalled the modern-day record of
eight winners at Royal Ascot, which he now shares with Pat
Eddery (1989) and Lester Piggott (1975 & 1965).
Moore said: “I knew at about halfway that I was on the right
side. Early on I was worried that there were faster, more
fancied horses drawn on the other side. It was only the Richard
Guest horse [Udododontu] that I was able to follow.
“War Envoy is a high-class horse and a strong run mile suited
him down to the ground.”
Moore has been in sensational form this week but the
professional he is, the jockey was evidently frustrated that he
had not also tasted success on Kingfisher – a fast-finishing
second in the Gold Cup. When asked how he thought the week
had gone, he replied: “I have to move on from the Gold Cup.”
Th30.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015
The King George V Handicap – Trainer Quotes
APPLEBY FLYING HIGH WITH SPACE AGE
Charlie Appleby recorded his first Royal Ascot winner with the success of 9/1 shot
Space Age in the King George V Handicap. The son of New Approach overcame a
tough draw under an enterprising ride by William Buick. The Godolphin-owned colt
broke smartly under Buick who took the horse to the lead. The three-year-old was
not to be caught in the home straight, staying on resolutely to deny the Andrew
Balding-trained Scottish by a length and a quarter.
Appleby said: “He is a horse I have been looking forward to all week. He did well to
win at Newmarket last time and I thought he had a great chance.”
Appleby did have reservations about the draw before the race. He remarked: “I was
worried about the draw but William Buick did a great job in getting him out and then
he was able to get quite an easy lead and dominate the race. He battled all the way
to the line and it was a fantastic performance. He was really game and just kept on
finding.
“It is a great effort from all the team and they have to take a lot of credit. It is fantastic
to have my first Royal Ascot winner.”
Appleby reflected on the Royal Meeting. He said: “It has been a big learning curve
and when I came to Royal Ascot last year I was a boy amongst men. I have learnt a
lot and we went away last year hoping to come back here and win one of these big
competitive handicaps. We looked after this horse and he has repaid us.”
The Newmarket handler was also effusive in his praise of William Buick, who is in his
first season as a retained rider for Godolphin. Appleby said: “It was a fantastic ride
by William. The draw was a worry but this horse has done nothing but thrive.
“Coming into the paddock today I said to William he should drop out but he told me
he wanted to go forward so he didn’t get messed about out at the back and meet
traffic problems. This horse gallops and stays well and he rode him brilliantly. That is
why he is such a top class jockey.”
Th32.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015 ARTICLES

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