MORGAN MAKES HISTORY AGAIN

Joanna Morgan was one of the first female professional jockeys before becoming a trainer.

She made history in 1978 when she was the first female professional to ride at Royal Ascot on Gallowshill Boy in the Queen's Vase.

Today she made a bit more of Royal Ascot history when celebrating her first Royal Ascot winner after Roca Tumu, partnered by Billy Lee, held off the Godolphin challenger Tarikhi by a neck in the Britannia Handicap over the straight mile."

The five-strong Roca Tumu syndicate, led by Tommy Murphy, loudly celebrated their 20/1 triumph.

Morgan said: "It is fantastic - unbelievable to win a race at Royal Ascot.

"Billy said that Roca Tumu was not doing a tap in front - he said he was trying to hold on to the colt to deliver him late and then he was in front too soon.

"The colt got a bit fractious in the paddock beforehand which is unusual for him. Billy is such a cool dude which is lucky because I am a bit hot and the owners are a bit hot as well.

"Roca Tumu has always been a talented horse and I had no doubt he had the ability - I just was worried before the race.

"It is a dream to win here - what you work every day for. My first runner here as a trainer came third in the Queen's Vase about 25 years ago. I have had several runners since but not got any closer until  today.

"Today's winner has always been big and I never ask mine at home. He is getting stronger all the time. The horse will travel back to Ireland tomorrow night."

Murphy added: "This horse has exceeded all my expectations. Joanna is a class trainer and she said from day one this is a serious racehorse."

Lee commented: "He jumped out and travelled well. I bided my time and because he was travelling so easy I probably got there a half-furlong too soon. I knew he would stay well. When the second horse came in the last 100 yards, my horse picked up again."

GLORIOUS RATHER THAN YORK FOR TARIKHI?

Tarikhi, in the royal blue colours of Godolphin, just failed to take the prize in the Britannia Handicap when he came a neck second to Roca Tumu. He did however improve on his first run of the season where he was seventh after stumbling at Newbury in May and therefore delighted his connections.

                                                                                   

Simon Crisford, racing manager to Godolphin, said after the race: "Delighted with his run - a good progressive effort and he is progressing in the right way." Tarikhi is entered in the John Smiths Cup at York though Crisford was unsure whether he would fulfil his engagement.  "We will have a look and  see what sort of weight he gets allocated in that but more likely I think is Glorious Goodwood - but we will wait and see." he addded.

Silvestre de Sousa, jockey of the Bernadini colt, commented: "He ran a good race but just met a better one."

William Haggas who trains the three-quarter of a length third Queensberry Rules, said: "He ran a great race - I am delighted. From a bad draw, he ran a really good race. I have no immediate plans but he won't be going down in grade."

4.25pm Britannia Handicap

£120,000 total prize fund. For 3yo colts and geldings rated 0-105, 1m (str). Weights: highest weight not less than 9st 7lb. Minimum weight: 8-0. Penalties: after June 8th, a winner 5lb A winner of 2 races 7lb. Penalty value 1st £74,700.00 2nd £22,368.00 3rd £11,184.00 4th £5,592.00 5th £2,796.00 6th £1,404.00.

1) ROCA TUMU (IRE) (Roca Tumu Syndicate) Joanna Morgan IRE 3-8-12 Billy Lee [15] 20/1

2) TARIKHI (USA) (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 3-8-05 Silvestre de Sousa [12] 33/1

3) QUEENSBERRY RULES (IRE) (Liam Sheridan) William Haggas 3-8-11 Ryan Moore [24] 16/1

4) WENTWORTH (IRE) (Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith) Richard Hannon 3-8-10 Richard Hughes [30] 7/2 Fav

5) CAPE PERON (Earl Cadogan) Henry Candy 3-9-02 Fergus Sweeney [20] 6/1

6) MACHETE MARK (IRE) (D Spratt) Ger Lyons IRE 3-8-01 Ian Brennan (3) [16]

7) FEHAYDI (Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum) William Haggas 3-8-08 Jamie Spencer [33]

8) MARKET TOWN (USA) (Khalid Abdullah) Charlie Hills h3-8-05 Christophe Lemaire [25]

9) SHEBEBI (USA) (Hamdan Al Maktoum) Mark Johnston 3-8-08 Paul Hanagan [10]

10) AYAAR (IRE) (Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum) Mick Channon 3-9-02 Martin Harley [14]

11) SEA SHANTY (USA) (The Queen) Richard Hannon 3-8-07 Pat Dobbs [28]

12) SO BELOVED (Khalid Abdullah) Roger Charlton h3-8-07 James Doyle [18]

13) RED AVENGER (USA) (The Hon Ronald Arculli) Ed Dunlop 3-8-08 Joel Rosario [31]

14) YOU DA ONE (Mr & Mrs R Gorell) Andrew Balding h3-8-04 Hayley Turner [17]

15) KYLLACHY RISE (E (Arjun Waney) Richard Hannon 3-8-04 Jimmy Quinn [13]

16) LE DELUGE (FR) (Longman & Malt) Jim Best 3-8-03 William Carson [29]

17) LAW ENFORCEMENT (IRE) (Mohamed Saeed Al Shahi) Richard Hannon 3-9-02 William Twiston-Davies (5) [22]

18) LLAREGYB (IRE) (Lee Man Bun) David Elsworth 3-8-05 Harry Bentley [26]

19) WON DIAMOND (Paul Rooney) Mick Halford IRE 3-8-11 Shane Foley [23]

20) EBN ARAB (USA) (Hamdan Al Maktoum) Charlie Hills 3-9-02 Dane O'Neill [11]

21) PROPHETS PRIDE (Saeed Suhail) Jeremy Noseda p3-8-04 Chris Catlin [4]

22) NEWSTEAD ABBEY (Let's Be Lucky Partnership) David Barron 3-9-00 Graham Gibbons [7]

23) MAPUTO (Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum) Mark Johnston 3-8-11 Joe Fanning [3]

24) CAPO ROSSO (IRE) (Deva Racing Red Clubs Partnership) Tom Dascombe 3-8-06 Richard Kingscote [8]

25) JALAA (IRE) (Hamdan Al Maktoum) Richard Hannon 3-8-11 Frankie Dettori [5]

26) SECRET TALENT (Wood Street Syndicate IV) Hughie Morrison 3-8-06 Jim Crowley [2]

27) STRING THEORY (IRE) (Prince A A Faisal) Marco Botti t3-8-11 William Buick [21]

27 ran                          

Non-runner: Haafaguinea (Self cert - Bruised foot), Granell (Going), Homage (Going)

Time: 1m 37.52s           

Distances: nk, ½, 1, 1, nk, ½, 1¼, nk, 1¼, nk, ½, hd, nk, ¾, 1, ¾, ½, 1, ½, 3 ¼, nk, 1¾, 3, ¾, 7, 59,

Breeder: Tommy Murphy           

Breeding: Footstepsinthesand - Lucy Diamonds (IRE) (Orpen (USA)

Tote      Win £32.80        Place  £5.60 £14.80 £4.30 £1.80             Exacta £2,591.70

Winning trainer:-Name: Morgan, Joanna. Background: Born in Wales. Rode over 200 winners and became first jockey to ride at Royal Ascot in 1978. Obtained a training licence in 1985.  Royal Ascot Wins (1): Britannia Handicap (2013 Roca Tumu) Other major wins include: Chartwell Fillies' Stakes (San Sicharia 2009), Muhtathir Handicap (Miss Gorica 2009), Phoenix Sprint Stakes (One Won One 2002), Glencairn Stakes (One Won One 2002 + 2001), Ruby Stakes (One Won One 2001), HH The President Cup (One Won One 2001), Knockaire Stakes (One Won One 1999), Smurfit Paribas Bank Premier Handicap (One Won One 1998), Dance Design Stakes (2010 Obama Rule).

Winning jockey:-Name: Lee, Billy Background: Rode on the pony racing circuit. Attached to the Tommy Stack yard as an apprentice and still maintains strong links with that yard. Also rides for David Wachman and Joanna Morgan. First Winner: Zeno, Sligo, August 7, 2002 Royal Ascot Wins (1): Britannia Handicap (2013 Roca Tumu)