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Murphy, Gosdens, Godolphin Take Ascot Titles

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy secured his first leading rider title at Royal Ascot on Saturday, with John and Thady Gosden clinching the leading trainer title and Godolphin walking away as leading owner.

Murphy, whose last of five victories on the week came aboard Foxes Tales (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the penultimate race of the meeting, the Golden Gates Handicap, said, “I wouldn't have expected it if you had asked me on Tuesday morning if I would be leading jockey this week–of course not. It normally belongs on Ryan [Moore] or Frankie [Dettori], but they gave me a turn this week.

“Thanks very much to the fast horses. It has been a super week. It's special, because as I get older, I appreciate these days more and more. I know I'm only 25, but life, as we learnt this week, is precious, and it's a continuous reminder.”

“My best moment of the week was Alcohol Free [winning the G1 Coronation S.],” he added. “She came along at a very important time in my career last year–I was under a lot of pressure and I managed to nail a Group 1, and [Friday] was a similar scenario. The pressure was on.”

John and Thady Gosden became the first training partnership to lead the trainers' standings at Royal Ascot with four wins and a second, while Godolphin enjoyed three wins, including Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Queen's Vase and Creative Force (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the closing-day G3 Jersey S.

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Burgarita Poised For Diane Challenge

Chantilly on Sunday is the place to be, with the customary high fashion and regalia accompanying a fascinating card featuring the G1 Prix de Diane Longines. As usual, Andre Fabre is the first port of call and it seems at present that his unbeaten Burgarita (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) could be the one to start favourite in a wide-open edition, having impressed with two performances at ParisLongchamp. In the first, Ecurie Ama Zingteam's relative of the 2001 Diane heroine Aquarelliste (Fr) (Danehill) beat the re-opposing Khalidiya (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}), while next time she was able to dismiss another who meets her again here in Natsukashi (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) in the 11-furlong Listed Prix de la Seine May 16. Drawn 14, the bay will have to be every bit as good as she has looked to overcome that handicap.

Khalidiya, who has since beaten the subsequent Listed Prix Melisande scorer Jannah Flower (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) in a 10-furlong maiden also at ParisLongchamp May 20, bids to provide The Aga Khan with an eighth win in this Classic and has fared well with the draw in six. Trainer Alain de Royer Dupre said, “We've had no problems with her preparation. The filly seems to be in really good shape. We have tried to bring her on in condition with her racing and she is not far off her peak. She has benefited from a similar campaign to [the 1999 winner Daryaba], but they aren't entirely similar fillies. Daryaba was fairly laid-back, whereas Khalidiya is more on her toes and, therefore, far more reactive.”

De Royer Dupre is a master with these types and looks for a seventh renewal, but is wary of testing ground. “To prepare for these big races, I find it easier to handle horses which have previously contested races in which they haven't had to force their talent,” he explained. “Before she saw the racecourse, I really thought she was something special. She was one of my best fillies. Soft ground would be a big disadvantage, as her physique isn't compatible when it comes to acting on muddy tracks. Ground which is too fast could also prove problematic, so good ground would be ideal. She is by Oasis Dream and his progeny aren't reputed to be soft-ground performers. Khalidiya takes after her mother [the 2015 G3 Prix de Royaumont winner Kataniya (Ire) (Raven's Pass)], even if she has more speed than her.”

Fabre's other runner is Godolphin, Ecurie des Monceaux and Ecurie Skymarc Farm's Philomene (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who bids to go one better than her half-sister Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) who was runner-up to the outstanding Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) in the 2013 renewal. Successful in the G3 Prix Penelope over this trip at Saint-Cloud Apr. 6, she was sixth and beaten under three lengths in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp May 16 and Godolphin's Lisa-Jane Graffard said, “Philomene comes into this race well and Andre Fabre feels that she has progressed since the Pouliches. The going is a slight question mark, as we would prefer good ground but she is ready to perform well and do her best.”

With Gerard Augustin-Normand's May 24 G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Incarville (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) drawn widest of all in 18, she will have to be extra special to defy that and there is a train of thought that suggests that Yeguada Centurion SL's 'TDN Rising Star' Sibila Spain (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was unlucky not to win that contest. Hampered en route to finishing strongly in fourth, the Christopher Head trainee is also wide in stall 15 and early tactics will be fascinating to witness where she is concerned.

Between Incarville and Sibila Spain in the Saint-Alary was the runner-up Cirona (GB) (Maxios {GB}) and third Es La Vida (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and both have leading claims again. Cirona, who was previously successful in the G3 Prix de la Grotte over a mile at ParisLongchamp Apr. 18, represents Ecurie Waldeck and trainer Christophe Ferland is confident. “All lights are flashing green. She is indifferent to the state of the ground. The forecast rainy spell will hold no terrors for her,” he said.

Es La Vida is one of two arrows fired by Francis-Henri Graffard alongside Gemini Stud's Sweet Lady (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who was fourth behind Coeursamba (Fr) (The Wow Signal {Ire}) in the Pouliches. “Sweet Lady has had a fair amount of time between races since the Poule d'Essai, which has done her good,” he said. “I will be very happy to try her over a longer trip on Sunday. I think she will relish this, given her style of racing. Regarding the going, I just want it to be safe ground and not too firm, but if the thunderstorms and the rain materialize, it won't bother me, on the contrary. The owner of Es La Vida wishes to tackle the Diane. The filly is fine, so I agreed but with one proviso: it will have to rain. I believe that she's better over 1600 metres, but she is in good shape.”

The rest of Chantilly's card is intriguing, with the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac Longines over a mile featuring Roland Perron, Gerard Augustin-Normand and Haras des Evees' deeply promising Breizh Eagle (Fr) (Bow Creek {Ire}) who was third in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp May 16. Next up is the six-furlong G3 Prix du Bois Longines for 2-year-olds, with Peter Savill's unbeaten June 6 Listed Prix la Fleche winner Dizzy Bizu (Ire) (Caravaggio) setting the standard. She encounters a Wesley Ward runner in Stonestreet Stables' Apr. 23 Keeneland maiden special weight winner Napa Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

In the G3 Prix Bertrand du Breuil Longines over a mile, Sabine Goldberg's unbeaten Jin Jin (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) bids to defy a penalty for her exploits in the G2 Badener Meile at Dusseldorf May 30. Awaiting her is another with a formidable record in The Aga Khan's Sagamiyra (Fr) (Sea the Moon {Ger}), who comes into this mile contest off a win in the seven-furlong Listed Prix Maurice Zilber at ParisLongchamp May 16. Mikel Delzangles saddles the homebred, who is connected to this week's G2 Norfolk S. winner Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}), and later on the card also puts forward Zak Bloodstock's May 24 G2 Prix Hocquart winner Bubble Gift (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the G3 Prix du Lys Longines. This mile-and-a-half contest is a trial for the July 14 G1 Grand Prix de Paris, so Andre Fabre's representatives demand close attention. Fitri Hay, Michael Tabor and Susan Magnier's Tides of War (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) captured the Coupe des 3 Ans at Lyon-Parilly May 9 and as a full-brother to Deauville (Ire) and The Corsican (Ire) can continue to go places.

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Dream Ahead’s Dream of Dreams Makes It Third Time Lucky In The Diamond Jubilee

Putting two agonising defeats in the 2019 and 2020 renewals of Royal Ascot's G1 Diamond Jubilee S. behind him on Saturday, Saeed Suhail's Dream of Dreams (Ire) (Dream Ahead) was in front before the line this time to issue a 82nd Royal winner to Sir Michael Stoute. Last year's G1 Haydock Sprint Cup and G2 Hungerford S. winner was able to take his time among the group racing up the centre and when delivered by Ryan Moore wore down Glen Shiel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) inside the final 150 yards for a length success as the 3-1 favourite. There was 3/4 of a length back to Art Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who had been asked to attempt to make all towards the stand's side and who only gave best in the final furlong.

Saturday, Royal Ascot, Britain
DIAMOND JUBILEE S.-G1, £700,000, Ascot, 6-19, 4yo/up, 6fT, 1:14.87, sf.
1–DREAM OF DREAMS (IRE), 129, g, 7, by Dream Ahead
1st Dam: Vasilia (GB), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Kangra Valley (GB), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
3rd Dam: Thorner Lane (GB), by Tina's Pet (GB)
(37,000gns Wlg '14 TATFOA; £44,000 RNA Ylg '15 DNPRM). O-Saeed Suhail; B-Prostock Ltd (IRE); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Ryan Moore. £396,970. Lifetime Record: GSP-Ire, 31-9-9-2, $1,262,554. *1/2 to Silverheels (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}), MGSP-Eng, $206,229; and Lasilia (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), MSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Glen Shiel (GB), 129, g, 7, Pivotal (GB)–Gonfilia (Ger), by Big Shuffle. (£45,000 5yo '19 GOFSPR). O-Hambleton Racing XXXVI & Partner; B-Darley (GB); T-Archie Watson. £150,500.
3–Art Power (Ire), 129, c, 4, Dark Angel (Ire)–Evening Time (Ire), by Keltos (Fr). (€110,000 Ylg '18 GOFOR). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-Owenstown Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Tim Easterby. £75,320.
Margins: 1, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 3.00, 7.00, 3.50.
Also Ran: Happy Power (Ire), Garrus (Ire), Sonaiyla (Ire), Nahaarr (Ire), Ventura Rebel (GB), Royal Commando (Ire), Summerghand (Ire), Final Song (Ire), Namos (Ger). Scratched: Emaraaty Ana (GB), Starman (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Le Havre’s Wonderful Tonight Dismisses Hardwicke Opposition

There was one certainty in Saturday's G2 Hardwicke S. and that was that Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) would love the underfoot conditions and despite trainer David Menuisier's misgivings about her readiness, Christopher Wright's G1 Prix de Royallieu and G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. heroine was able to register an impressive win on her comeback. Keen initially for William Buick before being granted a lead, the 5-1 shot moved three-wide on the home bend and had plenty in reserve to seize the advantage two out en route to a 1 1/2-length defeat of the 9-4 favourite Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) as Hukum (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) finished the same margin back in third. “When I rode her on Champions Day, I rode her like a real stayer and made plenty of use of her but today she really took me by surprise when she quickened up,” Buick said. “She's top-class and handles this ground well, unlike others, and showed a turn of foot today which she hadn't before. It was her first start of the year, so I thought I'd take a lead and she dropped her head after a couple of furlongs. She's very versatile tactically, as long as she doesn't get chased along too early, and she has a big year ahead.”

Wonderful Tonight, who unusually broke her maiden at Saint-Cloud in a 10-furlong maiden at two, was fourth in Newbury's Listed Abingdon Fillies' S. over that trip on her 3-year-old bow last June before running second to the high-class Valia (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the Listed Prix de Thiberville over this distance at ParisLongchamp July 23. Turning the tables on that rival when making all in the G3 Prix Minerve at Deauville in August, she was fifth in the G1 Prix Vermeille also over 12 furlongs on livelier ground back at ParisLongchamp in September prior to her victories in the 14-furlong Royallieu there and British Champions Fillies & Mares S. over this track and trip.

Free initially before Buick found cover behind Thunderous (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) as fellow Mark Johnston trainee Sir Ron Priestley (GB) (Australia {GB}) took up pace-setting duties, Wonderful Tonight had everything covered behind with Broome tracking her but unable to begin to match her change of pace after straightening up. Just as Fanny Logan (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) had in this 12 months ago, she was quickly gone beyond recall with the colts beaten up in her wake. David Menuisier was leaving no one in any doubt as to the importance of the moment in his training career afterwards. “She keeps on amazing me–she is so game and tries hard, as she's only 85% fit today,” he said. “She runs her heart out and I'm so proud of her–no words can describe what it means. You carry it like a monkey on your back until it happens and I'm pleased that Her Majesty managed to come to see Wonderful Tonight! She will go where the ground is softest, whether that's in the [July 4 G1] Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, or the [G1] King George [VI and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot July 24] or the [Aug. 19 G1] Yorkshire Oaks–anywhere over a mile four where there is a good downpour. The [Oct. 3] Arc is the target. Would we try her on good ground before that? I don't know.”

The success was also a first for Christopher Wright, who said, “I couldn't believe it. What a filly. She is amazing. I have been running horses here for 40 years, almost every year at least one, sometimes several. I've never ever had a winner at Royal Ascot–lots of seconds, lots of very good horses. Culture Vulture, who won a Classic, was second twice, but I've never had a winner here. I almost can't believe it–I thought I never ever would have a winner here, but I have. It means everything, actually. There are winners and winners, but a Royal Ascot winner. I've won a lot of very good races, but to win at Royal Ascot is like I've died and gone to heaven.”

“After last year, when we almost ran Wonderful Tonight in the Arc, we thought that we would target the Arc this year. I know that's like shooting for the moon and it's a pretty tough target to aspire to, but that has been the target and her programme has been based round it, so we didn't want her to start the season too early,” Wright added. “We don't think she's a filly who will like a mid-season break particularly, so we wanted to start the season and gradually bring her along so she could peak on the first weekend of October. This was step one of that plan.”

Wonderful Tonight, who was a €40,000 private purchase at the 2018 Arqana August Sale, is a daughter of Salvation (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) whose first progeny was the stakes winner Penjade (Fr) (Air Chief Marshal {Ire}). They are out of the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial scorer Birdie (GB) (Alhaarth {Ire}), who produced the GIII Providencia S. scorer Hostess (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}). Birdie is kin to the listed-winning Fickle (GB) (Danehill), whose G3 Dahlia S.-winning daughter Tarfah (Kingmambo) was responsible for the G1 2000 Guineas, Epsom and Irish Derby hero and leading sire Camelot (GB) by Salvation's sire Montjeu. Also connected to the G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Polygamy (GB), Salvation's 2-year-old colt by Recorder (GB) was bought by Haras de Montfort and Preaux for €70,000 at the Arqana Deauville October Yearling Sale. Her yearling filly is by the same sire.

Saturday, Royal Ascot, Britain
HARDWICKE S.-G2, £160,000, Ascot, 6-19, 4yo/up, 11f 211yT, 2:35.31, sf.
1–WONDERFUL TONIGHT (FR), 124, f, 4, by Le Havre (Ire)
1st Dam: Salvation (GB), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Birdie (GB), by Alhaarth (Ire)
3rd Dam: Fade (GB), by Persepolis (Fr)
(€40,000 Ylg '18 ARAUG). O-Christopher Wright; B-Ecurie La Cauviniere (FR); T-David Menuisier; J-William Buick. £90,736. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Fr at 14f+, G1SW-Eng & Fr, 9-5-1-1, $595,662. *1/2 to Penjade (Fr) (Air Chief Marshal {Ire}), SW-US & MSP-Fr, $376,306. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Broome (Ire), 127, h, 5, Australia (GB)–Sweepstake (Ire), by Acclamation (GB). (€120,000 RNA Ylg '17 GOFOR; 150,000gns Ylg '17 TATDEY). O-Masaaki Matsushima, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £34,400.
3–Hukum (Ire), 127, c, 4, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Aghareed, by Kingmambo. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Owen Burrows. £17,216.
Margins: 1HF, 1HF, 2HF. Odds: 5.00, 2.25, 8.00.
Also Ran: Thunderous (Ire), Albaflora (GB), Japan (GB), Sir Ron Priestley (GB), Ilaraab (Ire), Highest Ground (Ire), Deja (Fr). Scratched: Bangkok (Ire), Logician (GB), Mogul (GB), Pablo Escobarr (Ire), Tiger Moth (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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