Her Majesty the Queen was
involved in one of sport's great moments today when her filly Estimate won the
Gold Cup, traditionally the most prestigious race at Royal Ascot.
The Group One race,
Europe's premier long-distance event, had never been won by a monarch in its
206-year history, but Estimate lined up as 7/2 favourite and in a driving
finish under jockey Ryan Moore held off Irish raider Simenon and France's Top
Trip. A gift to The Queen from the Aga Khan, she scored by a neck and a length,
becoming Her Majesty's 22nd winner at the Royal meeting.
Accompanied by her racing
and bloodstock advisor, John Warren, The Queen was given a rapturous welcome
when she joined her daughter, the Princess Royal, and the filly's trainer, Sir
Michael Stoute, in the winner's enclosure. Expected to present the trophy to
the winner of the race, Her Majesty instead received it from her second son,
The Duke of York.
Moore said: "She won
well, and to do it for The Queen is fantastic. To win the Gold Cup in her
colours is exceptional. We had a good draw and gained a good early position,
and because she relaxes so well you're able to keep her there. Most horses that
you're not sure about staying you have to drop in, but because she relaxes
that's not a problem. She was always holding the others when they came at
her."
Sir Michael said:
"It's a great thrill, but I certainly wasn't confident. Her preparation
has gone well and she is bred to get the trip, but she had to up her game to
beat the boys. I was trying to be realistic.
"It's a special
thrill to win this race for The Queen, and it will have given her enormous
pleasure - she really loves this game and it's a great recreation for her. She
told me it was a very big thrill and thanked everybody involved.
"I kept very calm in
the final furlong because I was very worried. I felt she would beat the grey
horse of Godolphin's [Colour Vision, last year's winner who led into the home
straight], but then she had another battle with Simenon, and I really thought
he might beat her. It was a tense and very long final furlong."
Later, at a press
conference, Sir Michael said: "This rates as highly as anything, and I
know the pleasure it will have given The Queen because she has such a love for
her breeding programme, and that's why it will have been a bigger thrill to win
with a filly, rather than a colt.
"Great teamwork went
behind this filly, because sometimes she can be a pain in the arse. The girl
who rides her every day, Michelle, and Kerry the head lass and Kirstie who led
her up have put a lot of hard work in to get her relaxed. I always felt it was
a massive task because she had to up her game from the Sagaro Stakes [which she
won at Ascot on May 1] but her preparation had gone extremely well. She likes
this place - they'll have to frame more races for her here.
"Things have gone
very smoothly - as a trainer you walk the box when horses have had a setback
and get behind schedule, and there are doubts about whether they can run. Trip
wise their had to be doubts, but the distaff side of her pedigree screams
extreme stamina and her half-brother won the Gold Cup [Enzeli in 1999].
"She's full of guts,
very courageous and she relaxes so well in races which makes her a good staying
filly. She'll have a rest now because she's had a very hard race. We've given
her time between races in the past and looked after her, and now she's looking
after us - I could make a case for her getting better.
"This win is very
high on my list, because it's been done for a lady who, never mind being The
Queen, loves racing, is a great supporter of racing and is so good for British
racing."
THE
QUEEN'S 22 ROYAL ASCOT WINNERS
1953
Choir Boy (Royal Hunt Cup)
1954
Landau (Rous Memorial)
Aureole (Hardwicke Stakes)
1955
Jardiniere (King George VI
Handicap)
1956
Alexander (Royal Hunt Cup)
1957
Almeria (Ribblesdale
Stakes)
Pall Mall (New Stakes)
1958
Restoration (King Edward
VII Stakes)
Snow Cat (Rous Memorial
Stakes)
1959
Above Suspicion (St
James's Palace Stakes)
Pindari (King Edward VII
Stakes)
1961
Aiming High (Coronation
Stakes)
1968
Hopeful Venture (Hardwicke
Stakes)
1970
Magna Carta (Ascot
Handicap)
1979
Expansive (Ribblesdale
Stakes)
Buttress (Queen's Vase)
1992
Colour Sergeant (Royal
Hunt Cup)
1995
Phantom Gold (Ribblesdale
Stakes)
1999
Blueprint (Duke of
Edinburgh Handicap)
2008
Free Agent (Chesham
Stakes)
2012
Estimate (Queen's Vase)
2013
Estimate (Gold Cup)
SECOND
& THIRD PLEASED FOR THE QUEEN
Connections of the second
and third, Simenon and Top Trip, were happy to be in the place positions
because they welcomed The Queen's victory with Estimate in the Gold Cup, the
traditional highlight of Royal Ascot.
Willie Mullins, trainer of
the neck runner-up, said: "I wasn't disappointed to be second - maybe for
the first time in my life.
"Our horse ran well
above his form - a career best for him I am sure. It was the perfect race to be
in. We had every chance at the furlong-marker and I thought he might just win
with Johnny (Murtagh) but Ryan (Moore) pulled something more out on Estimate
and we were beaten by a great team.
"We are very happy -
it was a great horse to watch and experience. I think we have to look at the
Melbourne Cup - we are keen to go there and I will start the planning when I
get home.
"It is going make
November very busy! We ran Holy Orders in the Melbourne Cup and we learned a
lot from that trip and will go back with a lot more experience. Holy Orders was
not the easiest horse to go on a trip and this horse will be much easier. At
least he is keen about his training, whereas Holy Orders wasn't to put it
mildly!
"This is a fantastic
result for racing. The stands just erupted from about the furlong-marker and
then everyone rushed to the back of the stands to see the winner come it - a
fantastic day and atmosphere."
Francois Doumen, trainer
of the third, said: "It would have been a diplomatic incident if Top Trip
had won!
"It must be magic for
The Queen and Ascot - we have to respect the achievement of Estimate.
"My horse is only
four and was trying this distance for the first time. He looks like a promising
Kasbah Bliss and will run in the Prix Cadran in September."
COLOUR
VISION DELIGHTS GODOLPHIN
Last year's Gold Cup
winner Colour Vision made a bold bid for glory just after the two-furlong
marker in this year's renewal but failed to hang on to his lead and finished
fourth to The Queen's Estimate.
After the race Saeed bin
Suroor, the Rainbow Quest gelding's trainer, said: "I am happy. He has run
a huge race. We thought that Estimate was going to win and he (Colour Vison)
was beaten by a better horse today. We will keep our options open with him and
stay at two and a half miles plus."
"We are absolutely
delighted - thrilled with him he has run a huge race." Simon Crisford,
racing manager for Godolphin added.
Silvestre de Sousa, who
rode the grey, said: " He ran a good race - it is only his second run this
year and it takes a lot to get them a hundred percent fit. There will be a lot
more to come from him."
3.45pm
Gold Cup (Group 1)
£350,000
total prize fund. For 4yo+, 2m 4f. Weights: 4yo colts and geldings 9st; fillies
8st 11lb; 5yo+ horses and geldings 9st 2lb; mares 8st 13lb. Weight for age: 4
from 5yo+ 2lb. Penalty value 1st £198,485.00 2nd £75,250.00 3rd £37,660.00 4th
£18,760.00 5th £9,415.00 6th £4,725.00.
1)
ESTIMATE (IRE) (The Queen) Sir Michael Stoute 4-8-11 Ryan Moore [5] 7/2 Fav
2)
SIMENON (IRE) (Wicklow Bloodstock Ltd) Willie Mullins IRE 6-9-02 Johnny Murtagh
[16] 5/1
3) TOP
TRIP (Jorg Vasicek) Francois Doumen FR 4-9-00 Mikel Barzalona [15] 7/1
4) COLOUR
VISION (FR) (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor v5-9-02 Silvestre de Sousa [3]
5) ALTANO
(GER) (Dr Ingrid Hornig) Andreas Wohler GER t7-9-02 Eduardo Pedroza [7]
6) EL
SALVADOR (IRE) (Annemarie O'Brien) Aidan O'Brien IRE 4-9-00 Joseph O'Brien [18]
7) MODEL
PUPIL (Khalid Abdullah) Charlie Hills 4-9-00 James McDonald [4]
8)
SADDLER'S ROCK (IRE) (Michael O'Flynn) John Oxx IRE t5-9-02 Declan McDonogh [6]
9) NUMBER
THEORY (Mohan Fonseka) John Holt 5-9-02 Seb Sanders [13]
10)
REPEATER (Cheveley Park Stud) Sir Mark Prescott 4-9-00 Luke Morris [17]
11) LAST
TRAIN (Khalid Abdullah) Andre Fabre FR 4-9-00 Maxime Guyon [2]
12) EARL
OF TINSDAL (GER) (Sunrace Stables) Andreas Wohler GER 5-9-02 William Buick [8]
13) TIMES
UP (Mrs I Stewart-Brown & Mrs M Meacock) Ed Dunlop 7-9-02 Frankie Dettori
[10]
14)
VADAMAR (FR) (Qatar Racing Limited) Mikel Delzangles FR 5-9-02 Jamie Spencer
[14]
14
ran
Non-runners:
Aaim To Prosper (Going), Biographer (Going), High Jinx (Going), Rite Of Passage
(Going)
Time: 4m
20.51s
Distances: nk, 1, 2, ½, 2¼, hd, 1½, 1, 2¼, nse, 2½, 21, 14
Breeder:
His Highness The Aga Khan's Studs S
C
Breeding:
Monsun (GER) - Ebaziya (IRE) (Darshaan)
Tote
Win £3.80 Place £1.60
£1.90 £2.40 Exacta £15.50
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) Royal Ascot Wins: 66 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),
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 First Goodwood winner: Alphadamus
(July 31, 1973 - Stewards' Cup) Total Goodwood Wins: 154 (69 at July
Meeting) 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: 34
Winning
Jockey:Moore, Ryan Lee Date Of Birth: September 18, 1983 Background:
Father Gary is a trainer, and brother Jamie is a successful National Hunt
jockey. Ryan initially rode over jumps as well, notching his first success on
Mersey Beat in an amateur riders' event at Towcester on May 15, 2000. Switching
to the flat, Ryan enjoyed his first success as a professional when winning
aboard Marwell's Kris for Belgian trainer E C Chopin in at Lingfield on January
16, 2002.Appointed as stable jockey to Sir Michael Stoute in December 2007. Champion
Apprentice: 2003 (59 wins) Champion Jockey: 2006 (180 wins), 2008
(186 wins), 2009 (179 wins). British Classic Wins (3): Investec Oaks
(2010 Snow Fairy), Investec Derby (2010 Workforce), QIPCO 1000 Guineas (2012
Homecoming Queen) Irish Classic Wins(1): Irish Oaks (2010 Snow Fairy) First
Royal Ascot Win: Colony, King George V Stakes, June 2008 Royal Ascot
Wins (19): King George V Handicap (2008 Colony), Queen's Vase (2008 Patkai,
2012 Estimate), Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap (2008 Sugar Ray), Hampton Court
Stakes (2009 Glass Harmonium), Wolferton Handicap (2009 Perfect Stride),
Wokingham Handicap (2009 High Standing), Jersey Stakes (2010 Rainfall), Windsor
Forest Stakes (2010 Strawberrydaiquiri), Hardwicke Stakes (2010 Harbinger, 2011
Await The Dawn, 2012 Sea Moon), Queen Alexandra Stakes (2010 Bergo, 2012
Simenon), Coventry Stakes (2011 Power), Chesham Stakes (2011 Maybe), Ascot
Handicap (2012 Simenon), Britannia Handicap (2012 Fast Or Free), Gold Cup (2013
Estimate) Number of Wins 2000-2012: 6; 0; 39; 59; 132; 120; 182; 128;
192; 178; 138; 101; 116 Wins in 2013: 88
No comments:
Post a Comment