3 minute read
After 50 career starts with seven victories, there is one standout win most remembered – the 2018 Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, winning at 33/1.
The nine-year-old now bids for a second success at the Royal Meeting targeting the Buckingham Palace Handicap on day three.
Over the years, Accidental Agent has proven to be an Ascot specialist, scoring on his second start at the Berkshire venue, a 7f Heritage handicap in October 2017, three weeks before a good fourth in the Balmoral handicap on British Champions Day. The son of Delegator enjoyed his career highlight in June 2018, winning the Group 1 Queen Anne. Other notable race performances include last year's Victoria Cup handicap when runner-up.
Trainer, Eve Johnson Houghton spoke about the Group 1 victory earlier in his career. She said:
"I fancied him to be in the first four. I wasn't sure he was good enough to win, but because he ran so well in the Lockinge [2018 renewal when sixth] I thought he could get in the first four.
"I never have a bet, ever. But I backed him £10 each-way at 50-1 because I thought it was an insult of a price."
"It was amazing, it was the most amazing day, and it was his day,"
"I know people go 'oh, he won a poor Queen Anne', or 'he ran above his best', but who cares? I don't care! If he ran a stone above his best then brilliant, what a day to do it!
"He loves Ascot, he loves the straight mile. It was amazing, it was a great day. It was the best day of my training career by far."
Accidental Agent has raced 20 times at Ascot during his career and earned over £500,000 in prizemoney at the track alone.
The trained added: "He's an absolute star, he's still in the yard and he's going to run in the Buckingham Palace this year because he's still rated 101 and despite me trying to get him an OAP discount, they won't give me one.
"He's in great form. He really is a legend and loves life. He really doesn't enjoy being turned out in a field, so we'll keep on running him until he tells us he doesn't want to do it anymore."
The Buckingham Palace Handicap will be run on day three of Royal Ascot (Thursday 22nd June) over 7f. Accidental Agent also holds an entry in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket in July, another 7f Heritage handicap.
