Tag: Royal Ascot

Oisin Murphy Bounces Back To Win Royal Ascot’s Coronation Stakes On Alcohol Free

On Friday at Royal Ascot, Oisin Murphy bounced back from losing a G1 in the stewards' room by winning the G1 Coronation Stakes 40 minutes later aboard Alcohol Free (11/2).

The Andrew Balding-trained filly was fifth in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas on her latest start, but turned the tables on the winner that day, Mother Earth (9/2), who finished third. Second place went to Snow Lantern (14/1), a length and a half behind the winner.

Alcohol Free – racing in the famous Jeff Smith silks – gave Balding a 109.5/1 Friday Royal Ascot double, and a third winner of the week. Murphy was also scoring for the third time this week, joining Frankie Dettori at the head of the leading jockey standings.

Murphy said: “I didn't get a chance to stress ahead of Alcohol Free. I had a plan and I don't know if Andrew agreed me, but he filled me with confidence when I told him what I was going to do.

“She jumped normal and what worried me was the clerk of the course decided to put the stalls on the far rail. That was fine, but then everyone wants to get to that rail, so it is congested and I was worried it was going to get congested.

“Alcohol Free relaxed, I stayed on the bit for as long as I could and given her pedigree, she was always going to handle the ground.”

On losing the G1 Commonwealth Cup in the stewards' room, Murphy said: “I am disappointed for the connections of Dragon Symbol. There was a massive Japanese interest, he finished the race in front, but it wasn't meant to be.

“I didn't give it much thought, I went in the stewards' room, I told them I was on the best horse, Frankie said I was on the best horse, but it didn't go my way.

“Sorry to the Japanese fans and to Archie Watson's team, and well done to Wesley Ward.”

Speaking about coming out for the Coronation Stakes straight after the outcome of the stewards' enquiry, he added: “I said to my valet when he put his hand around me: 'there's no place for tears in here. There are far worse things going on in the world, we're in the entertainment industry, and I'm steering these marvelous animals and keep looking forward to the next one'.”

Jeff Smith said: “It was very emotional because we felt we were very unlucky in the Guineas and there's only one Guineas.

“The whole team at Kingsclere have just done a wonderful job. They've trained her for this race, after the Guineas, as a specific target and what a delivery. It's just absolutely fabulous.”

Balding said: “Alcohol Free is very classy. We had heavy hearts after Newmarket because it isn't often you go into a Classic expecting to win it. For whatever reason it didn't pan out that day and she was below-par, but she was back to her best today, and she looked pretty good.

“We were a bit concerned when all the rain came, because her stamina wasn't guaranteed, but full credit to Oisin – it's the measure of the man to have the disappointment he had five minutes before they go in the stalls, and to give her such a good ride takes some doing.

“We have worked her at home plenty of times on soft ground, it doesn't inconvenience her and she travels very strongly; it was just whether she would see out the final furlong, and I was very grateful that she really powered home.

“Today was the first time ever she has got some cover, and it's been through ill-luck rather than design that she hasn't before. The slightly awkward draw turned into a really good draw when they started to race down under the trees, and she got some cover and switched off beautifully.

“She did win a G1 last year, so there's never been any doubt about her ability, but she needed a bit of luck and everything to drop right.

“She's in the July Cup and the Sussex Stakes – whether she does both or one I don't know, but I think we'll stick to Britain this year.”

Reflecting on the week so far, Balding added: “This is the reason we do it. We have been looking forward to this meeting and had such high expectations. We had plenty of horses to run here and we thought we should have one winner with the number of horses we've got; two winners is fantastic, but three is cloud nine. We'll have a bit of fun tonight.

“It's great to do it for Jeff Smith – ask any of his trainers: he's loyal, patient and he loves racing. He loves his horses and there is never any pressure; it's just fabulous when any of us can get results for him.”

Trainer Richard Hannon said of Snow Lantern: “Her day will come and she's run a super race. We had a point to prove after York. She is an aeroplane. In terms of what I came here wanting, she's done – she was so much less keen.”

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Royal Ascot Drama: Wesley Ward-Trained Campanelle Elevated To Victory In G1 Commonwealth Cup

The Wesley Ward-trained Campanelle was awarded the G1 Commonwealth Cup in the stewards' room following a dramatic renewal of the six-furlong contest for 3-year-olds.

Campanelle (5/1), ridden by Frankie Dettori, and Dragon Symbol (4/1) for Oisin Murphy fought out a ding-dong battle throughout the final furlong, with the latter having a head to spare at the winning post.

However, interference was deemed to have taken place, with Dragon Symbol drifting right as they raced to the line, and the US-challenger was promoted to first place. Measure Of Magic (11/1) was five lengths behind the front two in third.

Victory for Campanelle – who won the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2020 – gave Ward a 12th success at Royal Ascot while it was a 76th for Dettori.

Ward said: “We are elated. Both horses ran fantastic, they dug down deep and there were only inches apart. I think it was a validated result – in the United States terms, he has taken her across the track. Archie Watson shook my hand after the enquiry, a true gentleman.

“This was Campanelle's first run since the Breeders' Cup. It was a gritty performance on heavy ground and, to come back from that, it is a true testament of how good this filly is.

“I actually thought the ground boded well for her chances. We weren't sure about heavy ground, but we knew she liked soft ground.

“Winning at Royal Ascot is so special, especially with my children here from the onset in 2009, it has been so special. To have Campanelle ponied down by my first winner Strike The Tiger too means a lot.

“Royal Ascot has changed my life. If it wasn't for Royal Ascot, my kids would be going to community college and instead my eldest son is going to law school in August.

“We'll sit down with the owners. Campanelle worked well on the July Course, but the July Cup could come a bit quick. I have run horses in the Prix Maurice De Gheest in the past and I think she'll do well whatever ground comes on the day. I think it would suit.

“Campanelle is going up the pecking order. Lady Aurelia was very special, but if she keeps delivering, she'll keep going up!”

Dettori said: “It is never nice winning a race in the stewards' room. I feel sorry for Dragon Symbol's connections that I took it off them. But in these conditions, when you are taken across about eight lanes, I got nudged three times, lost my momentum and got beaten a head, so the stewards felt they gave me the benefit of the doubt.

“I was coming back on the line, and it was a good effort by Campanelle and by the original winner, but I'm glad that we've got it. I feel very sad that I got it, but I had reason to believe that my filly was still the best on the day.

“Campanelle won the Queen Mary, she won the Prix Morny, and now she has won the Commonwealth. They keep on bringing horses here and I'm always delighted to ride winners for Wesley.”

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No Nay Never’s Alcohol Free Takes The Coronation

Just minutes after losing the argument for keeping the G1 Commonwealth Cup on Dragon Symbol (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), Oisin Murphy was playing Mr bouncebackability as he steered Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) to clear-cut glory in the G1 Coronation S. It will certainly be a Royal Ascot Friday the reigning champion jockey, who has generally been put through the emotional wringer this month, will never forget with such extreme highs and lows all within the space of less than an hour. To add another aside to this tumultuous spell, Alcohol Free even opted to drop him as he was making his way back to the hallowed place having seen off TDN Rising Star Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and the G1 1000 Guineas heroine Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Jeff Smith's G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine had stamina doubts entering this test, with her fifth in Newmarket's Guineas largely inconclusive, but trainer Andrew Balding who is having a Royal Ascot to savour was adamant she possessed the right material. Buried in mid-pack early, the 11-2 shot was the first to subdue the aggressively-ridden G2 German 1000 Guineas winner Novemba (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}) passing the furlong pole before answering the doubters with a continued surge to put 1 1/2 lengths between her and Snow Lantern. Mother Earth was a model of consistency as usual, a neck further behind, denying the game Novemba third place by half a length. “I didn't get a chance to stress ahead of Alcohol Free,” Murphy said. “I said it to my valet that 'there's no place for tears in here–there are far worse things going on in the world' and we're in the entertainment industry. Alcohol Free is a real pain, but so talented and they got her here in super form.”

In a quirk of fate, Alcohol Free received the widest stall on her first two starts at two and while it was not a major problem on her winning debut at Newbury in August it probably cost her when 3/4-of-a-length second to the battle-hardened Happy Romance (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) in Salisbury's G3 Dick Poole Fillies' S. in early September. Late that month, the bay got it together to deny Miss Amulet (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket showing the kind of pace that suggested a mile would be a stretch. Coming back in the seven-furlong G3 Fred Darling S. at Newbury Apr. 18, she was stuck out on the wing again but had enough to deny Statement (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) by a short head. While that performance entitled her to a crack at the May 2 Newmarket Classic, it didn't scream Guineas winner and in the event itself she was again wide without cover and not seen to best effect. Although she was only two lengths off Mother Earth there, connections were convinced that she had not given her true running and it was full steam ahead to this test.

Primo Bacio (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) was a significant non-runner due to the drastic change in going brought about by the almost apocalyptic weather, and her absence was to leave some important questions unanswered with Snow Lantern having trailed her at York last time. Alcohol Free was due to be drawn wide before the stalls were moved to the far rail and that slice of fortune meant that she received early cover as David Egan took the bull by the horns on the German raider Novemba. Dragging his rivals into action in early straight as he kicked again on the runaway German Guineas winner, Egan drew the sting from TDN Rising Star Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) but Murphy was still happy in behind and even had time to remove his goggles as he angled his mount for her challenge. As the winner settled the outcome passing the furlong pole, Snow Lantern who had run freely throughout the early stages as she had at York was forced to change course slightly before storming home.

“What worried me was the clerk of the course decided to put the stalls on the far rail. That was fine, but then everyone wants to get to that rail and I was worried it was going to get congested,” Murphy added. “Alcohol Free relaxed, I stayed on the bit for as long as I could and given her pedigree, she was always going to handle the ground.” Balding admitted to a feeling of deflation after the Guineas and said, “Alcohol Free is very classy. We had heavy hearts after Newmarket, because it isn't often you go into a Classic expecting to win it. For whatever reason, it didn't pan out that day and she was below-par, but she was back to her best today and she looked pretty good. We were a bit concerned when all the rain came, because her stamina wasn't guaranteed, but full credit to Oisin–it's the measure of the man to have the disappointment he had five minutes before they go in the stalls. To give her such a good ride takes some doing.”

“We have worked her at home plenty of times on soft ground, it doesn't inconvenience her and she travels very strongly–it was just whether she would see out the final furlong and I was very grateful that she really powered home,” the Kingsclere handler said. “Today was the first time ever she has got some cover and it's been through ill-luck rather than design that she hasn't before. The slightly awkward draw turned into a really good draw when they started to race down under the trees and she got some cover and switched off beautifully. She did win a group 1 last year, so there's never been any doubt about her ability but she needed a bit of luck and everything to drop right. She's in the [G1] July Cup [at Newmarket July 10] and the [G1] Sussex Stakes [at Goodwood July 28]–whether she does both or one I don't know, but I think we'll stick to Britain this year.”

Richard Hannon said of Snow Lantern, “Her day will come and she's run a super race. We had a point to prove after York. She is an aeroplane. In terms of what I came here wanting, she's done–she was so much less keen.”

Alcohol Free is out of Plying (Hard Spun), a dual winner in the Sheikh Mohammed silks for the Henri-Alex Pantall stable who was initially a $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August Yearling purchase before selling out of a Darley draft for €12,000 to BBA Ireland at the 2013 Arqana December Sale. Five years later, she was bought by Jossestown Farm for €21,000 at the Goffs November auction and the rest is history. Also responsible for the Listed Prix le Fabuleux winner Alexander James (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), she is out of the Listed National S.-placed Nasaieb (Ire) (Fairy King) who produced the G2 Flying Childers S. and G3 Princess Margaret S. third Kissing Lights (Ire) Machiavellian). Nasaieb is a half-sister to the G3 Solario S. scorer Raise a Grand (Ire) (Grand Lodge) from the family of the champion Numbered Account (Buckpasser). Plying's unraced 2-year-old filly Hooked On You (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) was a 130,000gns purchase by Creighton Schwartz Bloodstock at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale and is in training with Karl Burke. Her yearling colt by Dandy Man (Ire) was bought by Ballyhane for €80,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale.

Friday, Royal Ascot, Britain
CORONATION S.-G1, £426,875, Ascot, 6-18, 3yo, f, 7f 213yT, 1:43.13, hy.
1–ALCOHOL FREE (IRE), 126, f, 3, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: Plying, by Hard Spun
2nd Dam: Nasaieb (Ire), by Fairy King
3rd Dam: Atyaaf, by Irish River (Fr)
(€40,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV). O-J C Smith; B-Churchtown House Stud (IRE); T-Andrew Balding; J-Oisin Murphy. £242,081. Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-0, $558,968. *1/2 to Alexander James (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), SW-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Snow Lantern (GB), 126, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Sky Lantern (Ire), Red Clubs (Ire). O/B-Rockcliffe Stud (GB); T-Richard Hannon. £91,778.
3–Mother Earth (Ire), 126, f, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Many Colours (GB), by Green Desert. (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Grenane House Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £45,932.
Margins: 1HF, NK, HF. Odds: 5.50, 14.00, 4.50.
Also Ran: Novemba (Ger), Pretty Gorgeous (Fr), Fev Rover (Ire), Flirting Bridge (Ire), Empress Josephine (Ire), Potapova (GB), Shale (Ire), Lullaby Moon (GB). Scratched: Oodnadatta (Ire), Primo Bacio (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Campanelle Awarded The Commonwealth Cup As Dragon Symbol Demoted

Royal Ascot 2021 cannot be accused of lacking melodrama, especially in the 24 hours from Thursday's Gold Cup to Friday's G1 Commonwealth Cup, with the monstrous monsoon and grim skies the backdrop for an epic renewal of the meeting's premier 3-year-old sprint. As the TDN Rising Stars Dragon Symbol (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) drove past the post, it was the former who was announced the winner by a head but after an agonising spell for connections of the transatlantic duo the stewards duly reversed the placings to end Wesley Ward's drought. With the final 1 1/2 furlongs constantly re-run from every angle on the screens following the inspiring duel between two such talented sprinters, the rightward drift of Archie Watson's flagbearer was considered the crucial factor in the outcome. Campanelle, who was so strong on the front from the outset under Frankie Dettori, was bumped and rubbed up by Dragon Symbol as the line approached and her rider felt he had received justice. “I feel sorry for connections of the runner-up, but in these conditions when you get carried across eight lanes, get nudged three times, lose momentum and get beaten a head, I had reason to believe that my filly was best on the day,” he said of the 5-1 shot. “I was coming back at the line and so the stewards gave me the benefit of the doubt. It was a good effort by both horses, but I'm glad that we've got it.” Whatever the decision of the powers that be, this will also be remembered as a demonstration of dominance from the front pair, who were five lengths clear of Measure of Magic (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) in third with some classy contemporaries spaced out behind.

This renewal suffered from high-profile withdrawals such as the G2 Richmond S. and G1 Middle Park S. hero Supremacy (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), his promising stablemate Diligent Harry (GB) (Due Diligence) and the high-class Miss Amulet (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), but what it lost in cast members it more than made up for in terms of excitement. As Dragon Symbol surged by the Stonestreet colour-bearer passing two out, it looked momentarily as if he would comfortably take her measure but as far as last year's G1 Prix Morny and G2 Queen Mary S. heroine was concerned it was merely game on. Leaving George Strawbridge's unbeaten 9-4 favourite Suesa (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and the rest behind as they drove on together, Yoshiro Kubota's grey lugged right and although Murphy initially had his whip in the correct hand his switch to his left meant that it would be tougher for him to keep the prize. Campanelle was in front again nearing the line, but when straightened up Dragon Symbol managed to thrust his head back up where it mattered.

Murphy deserves credit for his handling of the inquiry's outcome and said, “I am disappointed for the connections of Dragon Symbol. There was a massive Japanese interest, he finished the race in front, but it wasn't meant to be,” he said. “I went into the stewards' room, I told them I was on the best horse, Frankie said I was on the best horse, but it didn't go my way.”

Wesley Ward, whose juvenile brigade had missed their respective targets one after another throughout the week, was a relieved man. “We are elated. Both horses ran fantastic, they dug down deep and they were only inches apart,” he said. “I think it was a validated result–in the United States terms, he has taken her across the track. Archie Watson shook my hand after the enquiry, a true gentleman. This was Campanelle's first run since the Breeders' Cup. It was a gritty performance on heavy ground and, to come back from that, it is a true testament of how good this filly is. We weren't sure about heavy ground, but we knew she liked soft ground.”

“Winning at Royal Ascot is so special, especially with my children here from the onset in 2009, it has been so special,” Ward continued. “To have Campanelle ponied down by my first winner Strike the Tiger too means a lot. Royal Ascot has changed my life. If it wasn't for Royal Ascot, my kids would be going to community college and instead my eldest son is going to law school in August. We'll sit down with the owners. Campanelle worked well on the July Course, but the [G1] July Cup [at Newmarket July 10] could come a bit quick. I have run horses in the [Aug. 8 G1] Prix Maurice de Gheest [at Deauville] in the past and I think she'll do well whatever ground comes on the day. I think it would suit. Campanelle is going up the pecking order. Lady Aurelia was very special, but if she keeps delivering, she'll keep going up.”

Watson had said before the inquiry's outcome was announced, “He's run a huge race and he's an incredibly tough horse–we came here knowing that although he handled the ground at Haydock he wouldn't be in love with it. For a team like us, even though we are a fair-sized yard, to compete with the big stables on a stage like this means a lot. He's always been very talented and was still a big baby and unfurnished last year, so we gave him plenty of time and he's come right and improved from run to run. He's a pleasure at home and the team have done a fantastic job with him. Just to have a horse of this quality is massive and we've still got a very good horse on our hands.”

Campanelle is the last known foal out of the Listed Marygate S. winner Janina (GB) (Namid {GB}), who was the leading performer out of the G3 World Trophy scorer Lady Dominatrix (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The latter is also the second dam of the recent Listed Scurry S. runner-up Warrior Brave (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) who later disappointed when down the field in the card's closing Palace of Holyroodhouse H. This is also the family of the G2 Lowther S. winner Miss Demure (Ire) (Shy Groom).

Friday, Royal Ascot, Britain
COMMONWEALTH CUP-G1, £350,000, Ascot, 6-18, 3yo, 6fT, 1:16.67, hy.
1–CAMPANELLE (IRE), 123, f, 3, by Kodiac (GB)
1st Dam: Janina (GB) (SW-Eng), by Namid (GB)
2nd Dam: Lady Dominatrix (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
3rd Dam: Spout House (Ire), by Flash of Steel (Ire)
(190,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Wesley Ward; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £75,250. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 2yo Filly-Eur & G1SW-Fr, 5-4-0-0, $374,478. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
*2–Dragon Symbol (GB), 126, c, 3, Cable Bay (Ire)–Arcamist (GB), by Arcano (Ire). (67,000gns Ylg '19 TAOCT). O-Yoshiro Kubota; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Archie Watson. £198,485.
3–Measure of Magic (Ire), 123, f, 3, Kodi Bear (Ire)–Lilly Be (Ire), by Titus Livius (Fr). (€9,500 Ylg '19 GOAUTY). O-JP Murtagh Racing; B-Mr & Mrs Reddy Coffey (IRE); T-Johnny Murtagh. £37,660.
Margins: (HD, 5, HF). Odds: 5.00, 4.00, 11.00.
Also Ran: Dandalla (Ire), Laws of Indices (Ire), Mooneista (Ire), The Lir Jet (Ire), Suesa (Ire), Isabella Giles (Ire), Happy Romance (Ire), A Case of You (Ire), Jumby (Ire), Mighty Gurkha (Ire), Lipizzaner, Fivethousandtoone (Ire). Scratched: Diligent Harry (GB), Method (Ire), Saint Lawrence (Ire), Supremacy (Ire), Miss Amulet (Ire), Sacred (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
*Demoted from first.

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