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Royal Ascot: Aidan O'Brien racks up 80th winner at meeting

Updated / Friday, 17 Jun 2022 18:55
Meditate is now favourite for next season's 1000 Guineas
Meditate is now favourite for next season's 1000 Guineas

Meditate maintained her unbeaten record with a clear-cut victory in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Previously successful on her Curragh debut and in a Group Three at Naas, the daughter of No Nay Never was a 5-2 chance to complete her hat-trick in the hands of the Ryan Moore.

Always travelling strongly, Aidan O'Brien’s filly picked up quickly once asked to go about her business and was ultimately well on top as she passed the post a length and three-quarters clear of favourite Mawj.

O'Brien said: "She’d put in a lovely run first time and again second time, and everything went really lovely for her today.

"She looks to have all the attributes, she’s a big physical specimen, mature and with a lovely mind.

"She looks like a miler and will head for the Fillies’ Mile with one run in between.

"We didn’t want to run Statuette against her and she will head for a fillies’ race at the Curragh next week."

Moore, who was riding his 70th Royal Ascot winner, said: "Meditate is professional. Aidan could not have had her any better today. She did everything beautifully. She was out ahead of everything else and we didn’t expect to be in front as she was waiting for something every time she was there.

"She kept finding a bit more. She has a lovely relaxed way of going. She is a lovely filly who has a bit of class. You need class when you are making the running here over six furlongs.

"Meditate can carry on improving. She did that professionally and comfortably. She has a nice attitude."

Tom Marquand opened his account for Royal Ascot 2022 as the long-absent Candleford (11-2) ran away with the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes.

Trained by William Haggas, the four-year-old had not been seen in competitive action since winning at Kempton in November, but was nevertheless prominent in the market.

For a moment early in the straight it looked as though Kim Bailey's Ajero had slipped the field, but Candleford joined him approaching the final furlong before rocketing clear.

Haggas said: "He loves going right handed and won a nice race in the autumn. I thought going a mile and a half on fast ground would prove right up his street.

"I actually thought all through the winter I would win the Duke Of Edinburgh, but not with him. I didn't think he would get in, but I was wrong.

Heredia (7-2F) claimed the Sandringham Stakes for Richard Hannon and Sean Levey to give the jockey a first Royal Ascot winner.

The Dark Angel filly had won each of her three previous starts, completing her hat-trick on her first appearance of 2022 at York last month.

A smart change of gear carried her to the front and while she drifted left late on, impeding eventual runner-up Zanbaq, she passed the post a length to the good and was confirmed the winner after a stewards' inquiry.

Hannon said: "It’s been a great week with loads of owners trainers and jockeys having winners.

"It takes a Group horse to win a handicap at Royal Ascot and as she’s in the Falmouth we will take a look at it."

Levey added: "It’s absolutely huge for me. That’s my first Royal Ascot winner and I’ve been here a long time now.

"I needed to go off favourite in a race like this. A lot could have gone wrong, but she is a good filly and has done it well."

Aidan O'Brien celebrated his 80th Royal Ascot winner when Changingoftheguard (11-10F) made every yard of the running in the King Edward VII Stakes.

Having attempted to make all in the Derby last time out before fading into fifth, he was out again quickly and this time Ryan Moore was back on board with the same tactics adopted.

Moore was hard at work from a long way out and while all the runners threw down some sort of a challenge, it was the Charlie Fellowes-trained Grand Alliance who came widest and latest of all.

There was little in it at the line and they were far apart on the track, but the favourite got the verdict by a short head.

"He’s a very tough, hardy horse and Ryan gave him a brilliant ride," said O’Brien

"He has an incredible constitution and will never surrender.

"I will be happy going the Leger trip with him.

"It’s been a big week,, but I take nothing for granted and every winner is a big bonus."

Moore said: "Changingoftheguard was not at his best today.

"Even round the track, he was having a look and wasn’t focused. He kept going and the runner-up has run across the track, but I needed a bit of help really.

"He is a very honest horse, but he just gallops. He could have done with a bit of company and a bit of help. He wasn’t getting a lot of it and we were sitting ducks, but he does have that bit of class."

Latin Lover (5-1) was a first Royal Ascot winner too for Harry Eustace in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes.

Since taking over from his father, James, Eustace has made great strides and he emerged victorious with his first runner at the meeting.

Hayley Turner brought him through with a late run to pip Nymphadora in the dying strides.

"You dream about it. I know everyone says it, but a lot of good horses have been beaten this week, so to have a horse that can get his head in front is unbelievable," said Eustace.

Turner, riding her third Royal Ascot winner, said: "It's a bit unfortunate for (usual rider) George Wood, but he can’t do the weight so it went in my favour."

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