By US Racing Team
It was a record-setting opening day at Royal Ascot.
Triple Time, a 33-1 longshot, started Tuesday with a thrilling victory over Inspiral and 7-4 favorite Modern Games in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1).
Jockey Sophie Doyle won her first Group 1 at the prestigious meet aboard Bradsell in the King’s Stand Stakes at 14-1 odds.
And Aidan O’Brien became the winningest trainer in Royal Ascot history with wins 82 as 83 in the Coventry (G2) and St. James’s Stakes (G1).
King Charles II and Queen Camilla led the opening procession of carriages onto the Royal Ascot Racecourse. It was the first Royal Meet at the course in Berkshire, England, since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who presided over the meet for decades.
Many surprise finishes followed, much to the delight of bettors looking for a big score. They got what they wanted on this day.
Victorious Racing’s Bradsell (GB) won the 5-furlong King’s Stand by 1 length over champion Highfield Princess, giving Doyle her fourth win overall at Royal Ascot. The win earned Bradsell an all-fees paid, automatic berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita on Nov. 3-4.
The weeklong meet started off with Triple Time gaining the lead early and holding off Inspiral and Frankie Dettori in the 1-mile, $800,922 Queen Anne. Favorite Modern Games finished fourth for trainer Charlie Appleby.
The victory earned Triple Time an all-fees paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita on Nov. 3-4.
A big day for Sophie Doyle
The King’s Stand turned into a match between 3-year-old Bradsell and 6-year-old mare Highfield Princess, with supplemental entry Bradsell winning by 1 length for trainer Archie Watson.
A stewards’ inquiry was needed before the race became official. Bradsell strayed to his left into the path of Highfield Princess in the closing stages, but the inquiry concluded the interference had not improved the winner’s placing.
“Coming to Royal Ascot and again having a winner on the first day is unbelievable,” Doyle said. “I have a big book of rides, but you play it down every year, thinking ‘If I got one, I’d be doing well.’
“It’s a great achievement and hopefully there will be plenty more ahead. You live for group one races.”
Bradsell could run next in another BC Challenge Series race, the Aug. 25 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York, where a rematch with Highfield Princess is likely.
Triple Time surprises Modern Games, Inspiral
It was a huge victory for trainer Neil Callan and jockey Kevin Ryan. Given little chance against such top rivals as Modern Games and Inspiral, Triple Time made his first start of 2023 a sensational one.
“I’m speechless for once, and a bit emotional,” Callan said. “It’s some feeling Royal Ascot.”
The horse is owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. A slow pace was helpful to the winner. Dettori responded to the pace by moving up early with Inspiral, but it was not enough to get past the winner.
“I thought we were going to get there but Neil had something left and he passed me again,” Dettori said.
O’Brien equals record in Coventry Stakes (G2)
River Tiber, ridden by Ryan Moore, held off a closing Army Ethos (Sophie Doyle aboard) to give trainer Aidan O’Brien his 82nd Royal Ascot winner, equaling Sir Michael Stoute’s record.
River Tiber was the 6-1 favorite.
And the record-setter for O’Brien in the St. James’s Palace (G1)
A little later, O’Brien became the most successful trainer in Royal Ascot history when 3-year-old Paddington won this 1-mile race by 3 3/4 lengths over Chaldean.
“It is special, particularly taking it over from such a special man in Sir Michael,’’ O’Brien said. As usual, he credited head lad Pat Keating and jockey Ryan Moore.
“I always forget people after these races, and one person I don’t want to forget today is Pat Keating. He’s there morning, noon, and night traveling the horses.”
As for Moore, he said: “Ryan gave him a lovely ride. I thought he was excellent on him. He’s an incredible rider and a total professional. He’s getting better every year.”
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
