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| Staff Writer |
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With several top trainers and jockeys gearing up to make their mark, the competition promises to be electric at the Royal Ascot. Christophe Soumillon, a world-class jockey, has been confirmed to ride both Big Rock and Blue Rose Cen at the prestigious event. Meanwhile, other trainers such as Donnacha O'Brien, Kevin Ryan, and Richard Hannon are also preparing their top contenders for the big day. With a mix of established stars and exciting newcomers, Royal Ascot promises to be an action-packed event that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Christophe Soumillon is set to ride both Big Rock and Blue Rose Cen at Royal Ascot next week. Trainer Maurizio Guarnieri confirmed the change, citing Soumillon's experience at Ascot and his success in major races worldwide as the reasons for the switch.
Big Rock, a standout winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, will compete in the Queen Anne, while Blue Rose Cen, who achieved three victories in Group One company last season, is scheduled to run in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes after making a promising reappearance in the Prix d’Ispahan.
Soumillon’s last Gr .1 win in the UK came in the Coral-Eclipse in 2022.
Guarnieri told, ““Christophe is world class. I and the owners decided to change. I think he is a champion, it is just that.
“He knows all the tracks, he knows Ascot very well and he has won Group One races everywhere so I think he is the best choice.”
Guarnieri is hopeful that Big Rock's chances at Royal Ascot could be improved by forecasted rain. He mentioned that the horse had encountered some difficulties in previous races but expressed confidence that the rain would benefit him.
Regarding Blue Rose Cen, Guarnieri was pleased with her comeback performance and expressed confidence in her ability to perform well, especially with the added distance in the upcoming race at Royal Ascot.
Donnacha O’Brien is considering running Porta Fortuna in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, but he is also open to the possibility of entering the Commonwealth Cup with his talented filly.
Despite not achieving victory during his tenure as a jockey at the Royal meeting, O’Brien secured his first success as a trainer at the prestigious event with Porta Fortuna's triumph in the Albany Stakes last year. Porta Fortuna has since claimed a Gr.1 win in the Cheveley Park Stakes and made a strong showing at the Breeders’ Cup, coming close to securing O’Brien's first Classic win with a second-place finish at Newmarket.
O’Brien is inclined to continue campaigning her over a mile. This decision may set the stage for a potential rematch at Royal Ascot against Elmalka, who triumphed at the Rowley Mile, and Fallen Angel, the subsequent winner of the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
The young trainer is planning to have just a handful of runners throughout the week. Apart from Porta Fortuna, Naval Force, who secured a victory at Roscommon, and Yosemite Valley from the Niarchos family are the other contenders that could make the journey from the O’Brien stable to compete across the Irish Sea.
“We have Native Force in the 3YO handicap, the King George V Stakes,” continued O’Brien.
“He won well at Roscommon first time out this year and I think he is a horse who will have a little squeak in that handicap.
“The only other possible would be Yosemite Valley in the Queen Anne, but he’s not guaranteed to go to the meeting.”
Kevin Ryan is very confident that Washington Heights can compete with the top sprinters in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The up-and-coming 4YO triumphed over Mill Stream in the Abernant Stakes and narrowly trailed the same competitor in a close finish to the Duke of York Stakes at the Dante meeting.
Although he will be taking part in his first high-level race on Saturday, Ryan, who has managed speedsters like Brando, Glass Slippers, and Hello Youmzain in recent seasons, understands the demands of the competition.
“I have no doubt he’s capable of being competitive at Group One level,” said Ryan.
“He’s done all his serious work now and is right where I want him going into Ascot.”
Washington Heights is owned by Hambleton Racing and their racing manager Cosmo Charlton added: “The owners of Washington Heights have enjoyed a great journey with him so far and are living every moment.
Archie Watson plans to have three runners at the meeting, with the pair of Tempus and Beamish representing Hambleton.
Tempus, set to compete in the Royal Hunt Cup, is in great form and enjoys the straight track at Ascot. With favorable conditions, Watson hopes Tempus can deliver another strong performance, running off a mark of 96 this year.
Meanwhile, Beamish is gearing up for the Copper Horse Handicap, and Watson is optimistic about his chances, considering him a talented stayer after an encouraging run at Newbury.
Shouldvebeenaring, a popular colt, is being targeted for Royal Ascot glory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. The 4YO has been aiming for Group-class triumphs since moving up from Listed company after winning the King Charles II Stakes in 2023.
Trained by Richard Hannon, the colt’s strong performance at York has given his owners optimism as he aims to improve on his seventh-place finish in last year's Commonwealth Cup at the upcoming Royal Ascot meeting.
“He didn’t disgrace himself by any stretch of the imagination in the Commonwealth Cup last year, I just think we were drawn on the wrong side, so there is a bit of unfinished business at Ascot.
“But really his season revolves around the six-and-a-half-furlong French Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest last year and going back to Haydock for that Sprint Cup, where we really do have unfinished business in that Gr.1 against Regional.
“Those are probably his two Derbys for the year, but absolutely the Jubilee will be his next run and we’re looking forward to seeing how that plans out.” said Tom Palin, of Middleham Park Racing.
Brave Emperor, trained by Archie Watson, is returning to the UK for the Queen Anne Stakes after competing internationally.
Malc, trained by Richard Fahey, will race in the Commonwealth Cup, renewing his rivalry with Elite Status.
Additionally, Middleham Park is excited about the potential of 2YO Glorious Kitty, who is set to make her second career start in Berkshire.
"Brave Emperor has earned his chance at the Queen Anne Stakes after competing internationally," Palin said. "He might have a shot at staying in the lead, as he's tough to pass."
On Malc, Palin added, "He has previous experience at Ascot and could be a strong 66-1 each-way contender with a more patient approach."
Regarding Glorious Kitty, Palin mentioned, "She may go for either the Queen Mary or the Albany and has shown promising potential with Mick and Dave Easterby."
Christopher Head is eager for Ramatuelle to clinch her first Gr. 1 victory in the upcoming Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Despite an impressive performance in the 1,000 Guineas, where she led before being overtaken near the finish line, Ramatuelle is currently priced at 7-1 for the Coronation Stakes. She was the only filly among the frontrunners to maintain a position near the pace during the Guineas, but recorded the slowest time in the final furlong among the top six finishers.
Head said: "She's done very well. We took advantage of the opportunity to give her a bit of time after the race but we still had a little more than one month to prepare her.
"I think it's still worth giving her another try at a mile to see if she can handle it. The 1,000 Guineas was only her second race of the season, so we'll give her a last chance and then we'll decide what the rest of the season might hold for her in terms of distance."
Ramatuelle was withdrawn from the Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs last month and as a result will now face her Newmarket conqueror Elmalka over the round mile, instead of competing against Vandeek, who had overtaken her in the Prix Morny in August.
"She handles pretty much any ground, and while I would prefer good ground, she should be fine regardless." Head explained
Two days before Ramatuelle's Royal Ascot target, Head will be saddling Sea The Lady in the Gr. 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes, wearing the familiar colors of Rebecca Hillen.
The 4YO finished third to American Sonja and subsequent Prix Corrida winner Pensee Du Jour on her first start for Head in April, after being bought from Yann Barberot's yard.
"She's an interesting filly who's arrived at my stable and she finished close up to Pensee Du Jour," said Head
"She's showed me a lot and I think she can go anywhere between a mile and a mile and a quarter, so a straight mile should play to her stamina."
Rogue Lightning, who was purchased for £1 million by influential owners Wathnan Racing, is anticipated to make significant progress from his recent race when he competes in the King Charles III Stakes on the first day of Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
The 4YO showed remarkable improvement last season after undergoing a gelding operation and being outfitted with a hood. He secured three victories before concluding his campaign with an unfortunate fifth-place finish in the Gr. 1 Prix de l'Abbaye.
In his first race for Wathnan Racing, he put in a promising performance, finishing sixth and trailing the winner by only three and a half lengths in the Temple Stakes.
Trainer Tom Clover believes that he faced several obstacles during that race which impacted his performance.
"I thought he ran a really solid race," said Clover. "The ground was a little bit easy for him. He was drawn out on the wing and the race developed down the middle of the track, but it was a nice prep run.
"He's really fast and his fifth in the Abbaye last year was a good run from a difficult draw. He didn't have much luck at all, so fingers crossed he can build on that now."
Rogue Lightning's run at Haydock was just his tenth start and Clover believes the 10-1 shot has what it takes to be competitive at Royal Ascot against the likes of Big Evs and Australian filly Asfoora, before a possible step up in trip for the July Cup over six furlongs.
Clover has already tasted success at the royal meeting after striking with Rogue Millennium in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes last year, and he is looking forward to tackling Group One company this time round.
"It's a special place," he said. "It's very difficult to win there, but the problem is once you've done it once all you want is to do it again. You dream about being at the top table throughout the year and it's great to have a chance in a race like this.
"It's also great to have the support of Wathnan Racing – the pressure is a privilege."