The Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes lived up to its billing as Ombudsman produced a tremendous turn of foot to reclaim his crown.
The race was tactical from the offset, as Devil’s Advocate and Mississippi River set a furious gallop for their stablemates. Devil’s Advocate had kicked clear two furlongs out, and for a moment it looked like he mightn’t be caught. However, the leaders quickly came back to the field as William Buick loomed up ominously on the outer.
Ombudsman settled the race immediately, much to the roaring delight of the Ascot crowd. Minnie Hauk stayed on strongly for second, reversing the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe form with Daryz in third.
Speaking to the Press Association after the race, via the Racing Post, John Gosden discussed the contest: “Aidan had a pacemaker and we thought we’d have ours doing what we wanted to do as well. So they ended up meeting coming into the bend and they obviously agreed on the pace.
“I thought they were going to have to go a bit to catch Devil’s Advocate with a furlong to go. But Ombudsman has a phenomenal turn of foot, great acceleration for a mile-and-a-quarter horse, and he just showed that class. It was quite something for him to come away from a field like that.
“Minnie Hauk ran great, so too did the Arc winner Daryz. While the horse who won in Ireland mightn’t have run his race today because he’d usually be in the shake-up. But overall I thought it was one of the great performances of Ombudsman’s career. He’s strong and powerful.”
Ombudsman ‘right up there’ with Gosden greats
John Gosden has trained many household name superstars, and when asked how Ombudsman compares, he said: “We’re very lucky to have some wonderful owners to send us those horses because you can’t train empty boxes. He’s right up there now with what he’s done but you’re talking about Enable, who won everything. He’s a lovely horse who will make a good stallion. He’s got all the right things: a good mind, as well as a fabulous body and strength.”
William Buick notched up his 40th winner at the Royal meeting, and gave Ombudsman praise of the highest order. “His performance was absolutely electric,” said Buick. When I asked him, he just went past them and extended to the line. He really put a stamp on the race.
“For him to put in a performance like he did is very special. He’s an unbelievable horse and I feel so privileged to ride him. He can do things that very few horses can and that was mind-blowing.
“His turn of foot is that of a miler, but he stays ten furlongs. He’s a joy to deal with. I’ve ridden some amazing horses but Ombudsman has an electric turn of foot and must be right up there.”