Jockey Ryan Moore was full
of praise for Hillstar after the 15/2 shot captured the King Edward VII Stakes
at Royal Ascot this afternoon.
Joseph O'Brien made his
move on Battle Of Marengo very early as the field turned for home and, just for
a moment, it looked as if the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt had stolen a march on
his rivals. However, Hillstar stayed on strongly from the rear of the field to
eventually wear the 10/11 favourite down and score by a length.
"Hillstar has always
been a horse we have thought a lot of," said Moore.
"He won a nice maiden
last year but both his starts this year haven't really worked out for him - he
had to make his own running the last day.
"The step up in trip
helped and the penalty the runner-up had to carry has probably made the
difference.
"He jumps the gates
so well so it's just a matter of restraining him and getting him to settle at
the back of the field.
"I got taken back
further than I would have liked by the Hamdan horse on the turn but this horse
has a good turn of foot."
HILL
STARS
Hillstar looked an
exciting prospect when finishing with a late sail to beat the front-running
Battle Of Marengo and capture the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes under Ryan
Moore.
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
felt that the Danehill Dancer colt was due a change of fortune after two
earlier luckless starts this season.
"We had him in the
Derby and we had him in the Irish Derby but his first two races this year just
haven't gone right," said Stoute. "At Newbury, what would have been
the pacemaker was withdrawn and he hit the gate too well and was too keen. We
dropped him out today to make sure he didn't do that again. The lady the bred
him (Renee Robeson) has always adored him. Ryan was very good today."
The colt's breeder Renee
Robeson, sister of owner Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, added: "I was hoping
that Ryan would do what he did yesterday and pick up. All you can do is pray.
It's very exciting and it's the same family as Crystal Capella, so it's
wonderful."
Sir Evelyn de Rothschild
added: "The acceleration that he showed was really quite extraordinary. He
is going to get even better and he is a good horse."
MARENGO
LOSES BATTLE WITH HILLSTAR
A brave effort by Battle
Of Marengo, who was driven clear on the final bend in the King Edward VII
Stakes, ended in defeat by Hillstar, whose sustained challenge proved decisive.
Battle Of Marengo, who was
fourth in the Investec Derby on his previous outing, was collared close home
and went down by a length, but finished two and a quarter lengths ahead of
third-placed Mutashaded.
Aidan O'Brien, who trains
the runner-up said: "He ran very well, but the winner came and caught him.
He went an even pace, but the winner came from the back. Maybe a shorter trip
would suit - he was lobbing away and had a nice position, then went clear and
wasn't stopping, but the winner was too good."
O'Brien said his Investec
Derby winner, Ruler Of The World, is well and on course to tackle the Dubai
Duty Free Irish Derby on June 29.
Roger Varian, who trains
Mutashaded, said: "He is an inexperienced horse who came into this race
off the back of only two starts, and only one this year. From a mark of 79 in
the handicap it was a big jump up.
"Fortunately they
went a man's gallop and while he was a little bit babyish throughout the race
he did finish well. I think the future's bright - he's big and can only
improve. I'm disappointed he didn't win, but delighted he showed he could hold
his own in this company."
Mutashaded holds an entry
in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at the July meeting on the 11th of
next month, but Varian said: "He's had a hard race and that might come too
soon."
3.05pm
King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
£175,000
total prize fund. For 3yo colts and geldings, 1m 4f. Weights: 8st 12lb.
Penalties: a winner of a Group 1 or Group 2 race over a mile and a quarter or
more 3lb. Penalty value 1st £99,242.50 2nd £37,625.00 3rd £18,830.00 4th
£9,380.00 5th £4,707.50 6th £2,362.50.
1.
HILLSTAR (Sir Evelyn de Rothschild) Sir Michael Stoute 3-8-12 Ryan Moore [8]
15/2
2. BATTLE
OF MARENGO (IRE) (Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier) Aidan O'Brien IRE
p3-9-01 Joseph O'Brien [5] 10/11Fav
3.
MUTASHADED (USA) (Hamdan Al Maktoum) Roger Varian 3-8-12 Paul Hanagan [4] 11/2
4.
CONTRIBUTER (IRE) (George Bolton) Ed Dunlop 3-8-12 Frankie Dettori [6]
5. HAVANA
BEAT (IRE) (Mick and Janice Mariscotti) Andrew Balding 3-8-12 William Buick [3]
6.
FANTASTIC MOON (Saeed Suhail) Jeremy Noseda 3-8-12 Kieren Fallon [7]
7.
GREATWOOD (Highclere Thoroughbred Racing - Archer) Luca Cumani 3-8-12 Richard
Hughes [2]
8. THA'IR
(IRE) (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor p3-8-12 Silvestre De Sousa [1]
8 ran
Time: 2m 30.09s Distances:1, 2¼, 2, 3¾, ns, 6, 1½
Breeder:
Southcourt Stud Breeding:3yo b c Danehill Dancer (IRE) - Crystal Star (Mark Of
Esteem (IRE))
Tote Win
£8.80 Places £2.20, £1.10, £1.60 Exacta £18.20
Winning
trainer:-Name: Stoute, Sir Michael Ronald Date of birth:22/10/45 Date
of first licence: 1972 First Winner: Sandal, Newmarket, April 28,
1972, Turn Of The Lands Handicap. Previous Occupation: Served with Pat
Rohan, Doug Smith and Tom Jones. Other information: Arrived in Britain
from his native Barbados just before his 20th birthday and has won the Champion
Hurdle at Cheltenham with Kribensis in 1990. Was the only trainer to win a
British Classic in five consecutive seasons. Was awarded a knighthood in 1998
for services to tourism in Barbados. Has been champion trainer on 10 occasions:
1981, 1986, 1989, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2009 British
Classic Wins (15):1000 Guineas (1989 Musical Bliss, 2003 Russian Rhythm),
2000 Guineas (1985 Shadeed, 1988 Doyoun, 1997 Entrepreneur, 2000 King's Best,
2001 Golan), Investec Derby (1981 Shergar, 1986 Shahrastani, 2003 Kris Kin,
2004 North Light, 2010 Workforce), Investec Oaks (1978 Fair Salinia, 1987
Unite), Ladbrokes St Leger (2008 Conduit) Irish Classic Wins (11): Irish
1,000 Guineas (1986 Sonic Lady), Irish 2,000 Guineas (1989 Shaadi), Irish Derby
(1981 Shergar, 1983 Shareef Dancer, 1986 Shahrastani), Irish Oaks (1978 Fair
Salina, 1986 Colorspin, 1987 Unite, 1988 Melodist (dh), 1995 Pure Grain, 2000
Petrushka) Other Major Wins: Champion Stakes (1997 Pilsudski, 2000
Kalanisi), Cheveley Park Stakes (1980 Marwell, 1994 Gay Gallanta, 2000 Regal
Rose), Coronation Cup (1992 Saddles' Hall, 1993 Opera House, 1997 Singspiel,
2000 Daliapour, 2009 Ask), Dewhurst Stakes (1986 Ajdal), Coral-Eclipse (1993
Opera House, 1994 Ezzoud, 1997 Pilsudski, 2001 Medicean, 2007 Notnowcato),
Falmouth Stakes (1983 Royal Heroine, 1986 & 1987 Sonic Lady, 1998 Lovers
Knot), Fillies' Mile (1985 Untold, 2003 Red Bloom), Haydock Sprint Cup (1986
Green Desert, 1987 Ajdal), Juddmonte International (1986 Shardari, 1993 & 1994
Ezzoud, 1997 Singspiel, 2006 Notnowcato), Darley July Cup (1981 Marwell, 1986
Green Desert, 1987 Ajdal), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1981
Shergar, 1993 Opera House, 2002 Golan, 2009 Conduit, 2010 Harbinger), Lockinge
Stakes (1986 Scottish Reel, 1990 Safawan, 1995 & 1996 Soviet Line, 2001
Medicean, 2004 Russian Rhythm, 2006 Peeress), Nassau Stakes (1977 Triple First,
1984 Optimistic Lass, 1990 Kartajana, 1994 Hawajiss, 2002 Islington, 2003
Russian Rhythm, 2004 Favourable Terms), Nunthorpe Stakes (1974 Blue Cashmere,
1987 Ajdal), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1985 Shadeed, 1987 Milligram, 1989
Zilzal), Racing Post Trophy (2000 Dilshaan), Sun Chariot Stakes (1977 Triple
First, 1990 Kartajana, 2005 Peeress), Sussex Stakes (1986 Sonic Lady, 1989
Zilzal, 1998 Aomong Men), Yorkshire Oaks (1978 Fair Salinia, 1985 Sally Brown,
1986 Untold, 1990 Hellenic, 1995 Pure Grain, 2000 Petrushka, 2002 & 2003
Islington, 2004 Quiff), Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2010 Workforce) Major
International Wins: Canadian International Stakes (1996 Singspiel), E P
Taylor Stakes (1986 Ivor's Image), Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2004 Gamut, 2007
Mountain High, 2009 Spanish Moon), Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (1986 Sonic
Lady), Prix de l'Opera (1983 Royal Heroine, 1985 Bella Colora, 2000 Petrushka,
2003 Zee Zee Top), Prix Royal-Oak (2007 Allegretto, 2009 Ask), Bayerisches
Zuchtrennen (2000 Greek Dance, 2008 Linngari), Grosser Preis von Baden (1996
Pilsudski), Hong Kong Bowl (1994 Soviet Line), Hong Kong Vase (2000 Daliapour),
Irish Champion Stakes (1994 Cezanne, 1997 Pilsudski), Pretty Polly Stakes (2008
Promising Lead), Matron Stakes (2003 Favourable Terms, 2007 Echelon),
Tattersalls Gold Cup (1992 Opera House, 2007 Notnowcato), Oaks d'Italia (1986
Ivor's Image, 1988 Melodist), Japan Cup (1996 Singspiel, 1997 Pilsudski), Dubai
Sheema Classic (2000 Fantastic Light), Dubai World Cup (1997 Singspiel),
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (2003 Islington), Breeders' Cup Turf (1996
Pilsudski, 2000 Kalanisi, 2008 & 2009 Conduit) Royal Ascot Wins: 67
First Royal Ascot winner: Etienne Gerard (June 15, 1977 - Jersey Stakes) Major
Royal Ascot Wins: Gold Cup (1978 Shangamuzo, 2013 Estimate), Coronation
Stakes (1986 Sonic Lady, 1987 Milligram, 1998 Exclusive, 2003 Russian Rhythm),
St James's Palace Stakes (1989 Shaadi), Prince of Wales's Stakes (1981 Hard
Fought, 1991 Stagecraft), Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1985 Dafayna), Queen Anne
Stakes (2000 Kalanisi, 2001 Medicean, 2002 No Excuse Needed), Jersey Stakes
(1977 Etienne Gerard, 1980 Hard Fought, 1989 Zilzal, 1997 Among Men, 2006
Jeremy),King Edward VII Stakes (1983 Shareef Dancer, 1991 Saddler's Hall, 1994
Foyer, 2002 Balakheri, 2006 Papal Bull; 2013 Hillstar), Hardwicke Stakes (1986
Dihistan, 1991 & 1992 Rock Hopper, 2006 & 2007 Maraahel, 2010 Harbinger,
2012 Sea Moon) Other details: Champion trainer in Britain 10 times
(1981, 1986, 1989, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009) Trains at
Freemason Lodge, Newmarket Wins (1984-2012): 96; 120; 76; 105; 100; 116;
78; 81; 69; 64; 109; 72; 73; 84; 79; 81; 91; 75; 104; 115; 87; 95; 107; 113;
88; 99; 73; 53; 69 Wins in 2013: 36
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