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| Staff Writer |
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In the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, Illinois secured an 80th win for jockey Ryan Moore, establishing himself as a strong contender for the St Leger.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Galileo colt was second in the Lingfield Derby Trial before Moore guided him to victory, overtaking the long-time leader Mr Hampstead.
Ballydoyle claimed the top two spots, with Birdman, trained by Jessica Harrington, completing the Irish sweep of the places.
O’Brien, also responsible for fifth-placed The Equator – said: “We felt any three of them could win, but Ryan made the decision on this one. When Diego (Velazquez) got rerouted to the King Edward VII Stakes, this horse got rerouted to here.
He added: “He’s a middle-distance, mile-and-six type horse and he’s going to get better from three to four. He’s a big, sound honest horse and a bit of a baby mentally still. He might have a bit of a rest now and go to York on the way to the St Leger, something like that.
“I think he might have a little more class than just a Cup horse and I think his sister (Danedream) won the Arc. Ryan said he was kind of caught in a position he didn’t want to and wasn’t getting an easy lead, he had to do it tough. When he went to the front he flattened out and he thought the race was over and then he asked him to come again and he did. He probably learned a lot today.
“I will be sure he is going to be a very good mile-and-a-half horse who will also get further.”
On equalling Sir Henry Cecil’s record of eight Queen’s Vase wins, O’Brien said: “Obviously we’re over the moon and we’re so pleased for everybody.
“It’s all about teamwork and we’re just grateful to have the small part we have and it’s unbelievable. They are homebred horses and there are so many people involved. It’s incredible to be working with the people we are.”
On the runner-up O’Brien said, “He’s only a baby and we didn’t know what to expect, but he’s obviously a good horse.
1st- Illinois | Owner: Mr D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, Mr M Tab & Trainer: A P O'Brien
2nd- Highbury | Owner: Westerberg,Coolmore,Brant,Dubois & Trainer: A P O'Brien
3rd- Birdman | Owner: Anamoine Ltd & Trainer: Mrs J Harrington