Blue Point makes history in Diamond Jubilee
Four days after winning the G1 King’s Stand, Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) won the G1 Diamond Jubilee to become the first horse since Choisir (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) in 2003 to pull off the double.
Kachy (Kyllachy {GB}) flew out of the gate and took a quick lead to put three lengths on the field with Blue Point among the first in the group behind him. Jockey James Doyle had to convince Blue Point to be patient in the 1200 metre race with the horse eager to chase down the leader but willing to listen to his rider.
With 250 metres left to go, Doyle let Blue Point out a notch and he loomed up beside Kachy before passing the leader easily. Asked for more by Doyle, Blue Point pulled away from Kachy and looked like he would have easy sailing to the line but there was another worry roaring down the course.
Dream Of Dreams (Ire) (Dream Ahead {USA}) was flying down the straight with Daniel Tudhope aboard and it was clear Blue Point was going to be put under pressure if he wanted the victory. The 5-year-old’s lead was cut into with every stride with Dream Of Dreams looking likely to spoil the double.
The line came just in time for Blue Point to give Godolphin a double on the day with Dream Of Dreams losing by a head. Kachy, who had set the fast pace early on, finished third over Speak In Colours (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}).
"We saw him develop from four to five into what we always felt was the real deal. I don't want to sound like I am trying to be too clever here, but when I saw him win his first start at Meydan in February, I just felt he was the finished article and that this was going to be his year,” said trainer Charlie Appleby.
"When I saw him win his first start at Meydan in February, I just felt he was the finished article and that this was going to be his year." - Charlie Appleby
"If good horse such as this doesn't encourage you or give you get a buzz, you might look at a different sport! His Highness (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum) is so enthusiastic about his racing, that is why we have seen the likes of Blue Point and Masar running today. He enjoys his racing, he is a true horseman, but more importantly he is a great supporter of the game. I thought it was very sporting of him to take on this challenge."
Australian-bred Singapore runner Lim’s Cruiser (Casino Prince) split the field when finishing eighth, 7 ½ lengths behind the winner. New Zealand runner Enzo’s Lad (Testa Rossa), who was also coming into the race after running in the G1 King’s Stand, finished 15th for trainer Michael Pitman.
Shamardal sired four winners at Royal Ascot this week
Blue Point was the second winner of the day for Darley’s former Australian shuttle stallion Shamardal, who also sired another history maker when Pinatubo broke the Ascot juvenile track record in the Listed Chesham Stakes in the opening race. The stallion ended Royal Ascot with Cape Byron (GB) taking out the Wokingham Stakes to give his sire a fourth win of the week.
Eventful Hardwicke sees Defoe come out on top
In a G2 Hardwicke Stakes that was full of drama from the start, Defoe (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) backed up his last out Group 1 with another victory.
As the field broke from the barriers, last year’s Epsom Derby winner Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) stumbled and turned in front of Czech Republic-trained runner Nagano Gold (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}). Breaking a few holes away, Defoe was able to avoid that trouble and took up a place next to Southern France (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) right in front of Masar near the back of the field.
Salouen (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) set the pace in front with only Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) willing to take on the leader with 600 metres left to run. Defoe had to battle with Masar to get running room with 450 metres left to run and the pair shared a few bumps before Masar moved over and Defoe had a path to go after Mirage Dancer. Once he had a clear track in front of him, Defoe struck out after the leader and reached him quickly to take over the lead inside the final 200 metres.
The excitement wasn’t over though with a hard charging Nanago Gold coming after Defoe quickly after running in last during most of the race after his problems at the break. The line came in time to let Defoe keep the victory by half length over Nagano Gold with Mirage Dancer a length behind Nagano Gold in third. The rest of the field was far behind the winner at the finish with Morando (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) the closest of the rest in fourth.
"I've got a high opinion of (Defoe) and he is backing that up with his performances - we're looking forward to the rest of the season." - Roger Varian
"I've got a high opinion of (Defoe) and he is backing that up with his performances - we're looking forward to the rest of the season,” said trainer Roger Varian. "Defoe always had a good attitude as a colt and it was the owner's decision to geld him. As a result, that will probably elongate his career. Before this year, he had showed a very good level of form and he has just improved a little bit. Defoe is everybody's favourite horse [at home] - he is hard not to like and a gentleman of a horse, very straightforward.”
Third placed Mirage Dancer is the second horse hailing from Australian stallion Scissor Kick’s (Redoute’s Choice) family to finish top three at Royal Ascot this week. He follows Sangarius (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who won the G3 Hampton Court on Thursday.
Space Traveller continues Tudhope’s top week
Daniel Tudhope didn’t spend his whole week at Royal Ascot but the jockey made the most of the days he rode at the track, registering a fourth victory of the meet on Space Traveller (Bated Breath {GB}) in the G3 Jersey Stakes.
Space Traveller spent most of the race in the back of the field, tracking Godolphin’s race favourite Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). As the field entered the final 400 metres Tudhope started getting to work on his mount and angled him to the far side of the track to give him clear running room. He briefly battled head-to-head with Angel’s Hideaway (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) as Space Blues burst out from the pack in the centre of the track.
Space Traveller left Angel’s Hideway behind in the final 100 metres but couldn’t shake Space Blues, who angled over to run closer to him as he took a slight lead. At the line he was a head in front of Space Blues with Angel’s Hideaway a length and a half behind the pair.
"Take nothing away from this horse, he has a tremendous amount of ability, he has been consistent without winning. I think he is a bit tricky to win with, but I am glad he has done it here today on the biggest stage,” Tudhope said. “(Owner) Steve Parkin said to drop him in today and tip away, it is all down to him - I am just delighted, it is great to win again in these colours. It has been an amazing week for me. I can't really put it into words, I am just thankful to everybody who has helped me."
"It is great to win again in these colours. It has been an amazing week for me. I can't really put it into words, I am just thankful to everybody who has helped me." - Daniel Tudhope
Space Traveller was the third winner by Juddmonte Farms’ Bated Breath at Royal Ascot this week, tying him with Galileo and Sea The Stars.
Space Traveller is a half-brother to Group 3 placed Pellucid (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}). The pair’s third dam is the dam of Group 1 winner Crystal Music (USA) (Nureyev {USA}) and fourth dam of Group 1 winning Zelzal (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Also found under that mare is Australian Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed Libran (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}).
Godolphin strikes again in Listed Chesham
Hours after Godolphin notched up a top day at Eagle Farm, their Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) got their final day at Royal Ascot off to a sizzling start when breaking the juvenile track record in the Listed Chesham Stakes.
With James Doyle aboard Pinatubo was in midpack as they raced down the centre of the course with Dramatic Sands (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) holding a slim lead over Harpocrates (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Doyle asked his mount to go with 400 metres left to run and he quickly hit the front where he was joined by Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who came up the stands’ side of the course before drifting over to run next to Pinatubo.
It was a brief battle before Pinatubo shrugged that rival off to win by 3 ¼ lengths with Lope Y Fernandez the best of the rest when finishing 1 ¼ lengths ahead of third placed Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}).
"Today was one of those nice races to watch. I was quite confident throughout the race that we were going to be there at the business end,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “He is a lovely horse to have around as you don't know he is in the string. He is one of those lovely horses who does himself well. You would not see him in the string because he goes out there and does his job.”
"The team at home do a fantastic job with these horses and that is why they are here this week in the condition they are in."
"The team at home do a fantastic job with these horses and that is why they are here this week in the condition they are in." - Charlie Appleby
Pinatubo is one of two winners for Darley’s sire Sharmardal at this week’s Royal meeting with Blue Point winning the G1 King’s Stand on Tuesday before a victory in the Diamond Jubilee on this card.
Pintatubo is from Listed winning Lava Flow (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who is a half-sister to Group 1-placed Strobilus (Mark Of Esteem). This colt’s fourth dam is Eljazzi (Artaius), the granddam of top sires Invincible Spirit (Ire) and Kodiac (GB) (Danehill {USA}) with Coolmore Australia’s young stallion Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry {Ire}) also part of the family.
