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| Staff Writer |
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Khaadem secured his place in the history books of the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes by becoming the first 8YO to win and the first back-to-back winner since Right Boy in 1958/59.
Trained by Charlie Hills, Khaadem defied the odds marking a significant victory after last year's unexpected win under Jamie Spencer.
Under the guidance of jockey Oisin Murphy, Khaadem made a thrilling late surge to claim victory by half a length over Swingalong, with Mill Stream finishing a length and a quarter behind in third place. Believing, finished in fourth position.
Khaadem, carrying the colors of Fitri Hay, also had another runner represented by the Hills-trained Mitbaahy, who finished seventh out of the 13 runners under Spencer.
Hills said: “What a horse, to win two of these races, plus a Palace House, Stewards' Cup, King George at Goodwood. He is a very good horse.
"He got a fantastic ride there off the pace and he never looked like he was going to get beat; he travelled beautifully through the race. He loves the place and it’s the first time he’s had the ground, pretty much since he ran here last time.
“I think fast ground is key to him. He had a lovely pitch, they went a good strong pace in front, but he just travels so well. He’s such a versatile horse; he was making the running over five furlongs two years ago. I just really felt there’s a different trajectory to running like a good horse over six, and it seems to have suited him very well.
“He’s a wonderful horse - you just wouldn’t know! He’s got a huge amount of ability, but he’s different [at home] one day to the next. One day he’ll pick up the bridle and you think he’s Nijinksy, the next you think he’s like a plater. He knows more about the game than any of us, I think. He’s a hugely talented horse and has been an absolute pleasure to train.
“It’s easy to say after the event, but I’d say that last year’s race was probably more competitive than this one. I thought he always looked like he was the winner. He’s had so many top jockeys on him over the years – Ryan Moore’s won on him, James Doyle, Jamie Spencer, William Buick. They’ve all sat on him over the years and now another one in Oisin.”
Murphy said: “What an amazing horse; eight years of age and back-to-back wins in the race – an incredible training performance from Charlie Hills and his team. Wonderful.
"I thought for the majority of the last two furlongs, he would win, and I was able to enjoy it a little bit. There was a lot of speed on, particularly after a furlong. When it began to slow down late on he came alive. I just wanted to copy Jamie Spencer from last year!”
Dr Jim Hay said: “Khaadem never gives up. He doesn’t know he’s 8YO. He thinks he’s three, or two or something, and he just keeps going. He loves this ground, he loves Ascot and he just goes.
“You cannot underestimate him. To have a horse running here is a huge privilege; to have a horse winning here is unbelievable.”
Karl Burke said of Swingalong: “We are delighted with the run. I am gutted to be beaten, but she’s run her heart out and I can’t complain. We thought we had it a furlong out. She loves this track; it plays to her strengths. She is in at Newmarket [July Cup].
“I am not sure that track plays to her strengths, but it might be a case where we have to go as she was kept in training to run in these Group Ones, and to try and win one. I thought we had pulled it off there!”
Clifford Lee added: “Swingalong ran a fantastic race. Ideally, I could have held onto her a few more strides, but she’s run a great race and we are delighted with that run.”
Mill Stream’s trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said: “We are very pleased with that. It is his best run to date to be fair. William said it was a good run, a fair run, and it is his best to date, so we can’t complain. We will head to Deauville for the Prix Maurice de Gheest.”
1st- Khaadem (Fitri Hay) Charlie Hills / Oisin Murphy
2nd- Swingalong (Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum) Karl Burke / Clifford Lee
3rd- Mill Stream (Peter Harris) Jane Chapple-Hyam / William Buick