3 minute read
Ryan Moore rode his 50th Royal Ascot winner for one of the meeting's most successful partnerships when Hunting Horn landed the G3 Hampton Court Stakes over 10 furlongs.
Moore, who wore the all-navy silks synonymous with John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, drove the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt to victory by four and a half lengths, an emphatic win that made up for his sixth in the recent G1 Prix du Jockey-Club. The 5/1 winner beat 16/1 chance Crossed Baton, who was half a length clear of Zaaki, 14/1.
QIPCO's Royal Ascot top jockey in seven of the last eight years, Moore also holds the post-war record of nine winners at any one Royal Meeting, a feat he achieved in 2015.
Following his second win at this year's meeting, Moore said: "Hunting Horn has progressed with every start this year.
"The race today went nice and smoothly for him. He got there and had a little look around. It wasn't until I got after him in the last furlong that he started stretching.
"He is a progressive horse and that was obviously a big jump up on what he has done before. He is getting better and hopefully will carry on that way."
On behalf of the owners, Derrick Smith said: "He ran very well today and was a little unlucky in France where he got a bit impeded. They can often bunch up [in races] in France, but he put it right today.
"This is a double whammy for us because he's a son of Camelot the Derby winner owner by Smith, Magnier and Tabor, which makes the win even more pleasing.
"People say we had a bad day on Tuesday, but we had the second in the Coventry Stakes and the third in the St James's Palace Stakes - I suppose we expect to be in the winner's enclosure every time, but it wasn't a bad day from our point of view."
Asked about the secret of O'Brien's ability as a trainer, Smith replied: "The question is always asked and everyone knows the answer - he's a genius, pure and simple."
It was O'Brien's third win in the Group Three 10-furlong race for three-year-olds - he also took it in 2004 with Moscow Ballet and in 2005 with Indigo Cat.
O'Brien said: "We were delighted with Hunting Horn's last run sixth in the Group One Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, and he also had a lovely run in Sandown when third in the Classic Trial in April.
"He relaxes, travels well and quickens well. His dad [Camelot] was the same when there was pace on and it was a nice, evenly run race today.
"We thought a mile and a quarter would suit him well, and Ryan gave him a lovely ride.
"He has a lot of options, as he can step up to a mile and a half as well. You could look the Eclipse or go to France or have a little rest. He has been busy the past couple of weeks."
Newmarket trainer John Gosden was pleased with the run of 16/1 shot Crossed Baton who finished a creditable second to Hunting Horn.
Ridden by Robert Havlin, the three-year-old son of Dansili was always prominent in the 10-furlong contest and took the lead passing the two-furlong pole.
Gosden commented: "It was a good run. Rab gave Crossed Baton a great ride from the outside and they had every chance.
"I thought the winner was just too good. We would have been beaten with any draw as the winner was impressive and I'm just thrilled to be second.
"He is a horse who likes to use his stride and he is a lovely horse - that was a solid race."
Havlin remarked: "That was a great run - there are no excuses. He has put his Dante run behind him. He was on an upward curve before that and hopefully we can find a race for him. We were just beaten by a better horse on the day."
Reflecting on Cracksman's defeat in yesterday's G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes by Poet's Word, Gosden added: "Cracksman ate up this morning and was very pleased with himself - I wasn't quite so happy with him!"
Sir Michael Stoute, trainer of third-placed Zaaki (14/1) said: "He ran well."