It was Barney Roy that stole the show on the opening day of Royal Ascot as the St James’s Palace Stakes battle between the Godolphin-owned colt and Coolmore’s superstar miler, Churchill, went the way of the Richard Hannon-trained three-year-old.
With both looking to reel in the pacemakers in the closing stages of the contest, it was Barney Roy that finished stronger, with Lancaster Bomber in second and Thunder Snow in third.
The result was the cherry on top of the cake for owners Godolphin, who had earlier success on the day in the Queen Anne Stakes with Ribchester.
Last year’s Jersey Stakes victor had to work hard for the Group One triumph, but did so in style as Mutakayyef and Deauville finished in second and third, respectively.
It was a case of another year, another Royal Ascot winner for American trainer Wesley Ward as his superstar filly Lady Aurelia produced another superb display at the Royal meeting - this time in the King’s Stand Stakes.
The three-year-old, who cruised to success in last year’s Queen Mary Stakes, put up another dominant performance by casting aside her rivals to claim the prestigious Sprint crown from last year’s winner Profitable and the well-fancied Marsha.
Royal Ascot might well have witnessed a star of the future in the Coventry Stakes, as Rajasinghe stayed on strongly to see off the challenge of the Royal Ascot Racing Club-owned Headway.
A son of Choisir - a famous winner of the King’s Stand Stakes and Golden Jubilee Stakes at the same Royal meeting in 2003 - was rated prominently for next season’s British Classics next season.
In the Ascot Stakes, National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins showed his versatility by saddling Thomas Hobson to a classy runaway success under Ryan Moore, while Godlphin sealed a hat-trick of wins on the day with Sound And Silence winning the Windsor Castle Stakes.
Tickets for Day Two of Royal Ascot remain on sale. Find out more.
