The domination of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore is simply poetic at times. We are truly blessed to be in an era of two sports men at the top of their game. Ironically, which perhaps is the entire antonym of racing poetry, is that a combination who seeks to provide stallions for Coolmore, completed the set of Royal Ascot Group 1s with a gelding.
The son of No Nay Never was gelded a month after defeat at Dundalk as a two-year old. The operation evidently improved him, as he bolted eight lengths at the Curragh next time out. Two subsequent wins followed, and he returned this season in even better form.
One can only imagine that as a son of No Nay Never, he was kept by Coolmore as an advertisement for their stallion. He certainly boosted his sire’s profile, as he flew up the stand-side rail to land the King Charles III Stakes. Friendless in the market, he was restrained in rear by Ryan Moore. Within an instant, he arrived late on the scene to collar the well fancied pair of Rayevka and Overpass.
In the wake of his historic success, a jubilant Aidan O’Brien spoke to the Press Association, via Sporting Life, stating: “What an incredible ride. He is a very fast horse and is now unbeaten this year. He has progressed with every run.
“They went hard, which suited him. In all his races he has been very forward as they don’t go very fast. He has an awful lot of speed. Ryan gave him a great ride as he knew they were going really hard. But he really motivated him inside the last furlong. I’m delighted for everyone.
“They went very hard today and the five furlongs suited him, but he could get further again. He is getting quicker and that is why we have campaigned him over five furlongs this season. I’m delighted really. He had been trained for this race, but Ryan gave him a brilliant ride.”
Rayevka could return to Ascot
Francis-Henri Graffard would’ve thought he’d won the race once over-hauling Overpass until Mission Central’s late surge. The Blue Point filly was third in last year’s Commonwealth Cup, proving her liking for the track.
Her trainer was full of plaudits, as he said: “She has an amazing turn of foot over that distance. When she came she really came strongly. I thought it was in the bag, but on the post I knew I was beaten. But the winner finished really strongly too.
“The drop back in distance has been key to me. She showed in Dubai that six furlongs is too long for her. Five furlongs on fast ground meant this was the race for her. She was in top form, and she proved it on the track.
“You can’t be frustrated. It is a fantastic run from my mare. Hopefully she will be able to win a Group 1 this year. She needs fast ground, that is why I didn’t run her in the Abbaye last year. I think over five furlongs on fast ground she is competitive so she might come back over here.”