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| Staff Writer |
Jump racing maestro Henry de Bromhead achieved his first Royal Ascot triumph as Ascending stormed home to complete an Irish clean sweep of the first four places in the prestigious handicap. The 7YO, ridden by Billy Lee, overcame adversity early in the contest before showcasing tremendous staying power to deny his compatriots in a thrilling climax.
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While several rivals encountered difficulties along the inside rail, Lee made the shrewd decision to take Ascending around the outside, avoiding the interference that befell many runners including the well-supported Reaching High. This tactical manoeuvre proved crucial as Ascending travelled smoothly throughout before unleashing his challenge entering the final furlong. The winner had sufficient reserves to withstand the late surge from Joseph O'Brien's trio, with Nurburgring finishing second under Colin Keane, followed by Comfort Zone ridden by Tom Marquand and Leinster completing the Irish domination.
De Bromhead expressed his delight at the unexpected success, revealing how the gelding's participation came about by chance. "I wanted to go for the Copper Horse Stakes; I thought we had a great chance, but we didn't get in and someone put us in this race and we win," he explained. The trainer praised Ascending's transformation since switching from hurdling, where the horse had struggled to find his best form despite showing promise initially. "He was bought to go hurdling and ran very well over hurdles, but I think he never really loved it, so I said we'd try going back on the Flat," de Bromhead noted. David Roach, who works for the trainer, identified the gelding's Flat potential, leading to the successful career change. The horse had previously competed in amateur races under Andrew Jones, demonstrating his versatility across different spheres of racing.
Lee credited Ascending's smooth travelling for enabling him to execute his race-winning strategy. "If you weren't travelling, you get thrown into the middle of the track; it's just the fact that Ascending was going so easily and took me into the race that I was able to keep things smooth," the jockey explained. The rider highlighted how Ascending had regained his confidence on the Flat following disappointing performances over hurdles, including a fifth-place finish in the Triumph Hurdle. Recent victories at Dundalk and Cork had demonstrated the gelding's renewed enthusiasm, giving Lee confidence heading into the Royal meeting.
Owner Chris Jones experienced his first Royal Ascot success, having previously enjoyed success at the Cheltenham Festival. "I have never been to Royal Ascot. I have been here three times jumping in the winter with Henry and Arthur Moore," Jones revealed, crediting Moore as their "lucky charm" for attending the race. The victory provided welcome relief following challenging times in National Hunt racing, with Jones emphasising how his family deserved such a significant triumph. The celebration continued into the evening as connections marked their breakthrough success at racing's most prestigious meeting. Nurburgring produced an admirable effort in defeat, with Keane noting how his mount travelled beautifully before being outpaced when Ascending quickened. Marquand was equally pleased with Comfort Zone's performance, suggesting the sharper ground conditions may have prevented an even closer finish.
| RACE REPLAY |
Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 2025 |
1st- Ascending (Henry de Bromhead, Billy Lee, Awtaad)
2nd- Nurburgring (Joseph O'Brien, Colin Keane, Zoffany
3rd- Comfort Zone (Joseph O'Brien, Tom Marquand, Churchill)