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| Staff Writer |
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Saeed bin Suroor notched his 39th Royal Ascot success as Wild Tiger clinched the Hunt Cup, marking the trainer's third win in the race.
Despite a smaller string of horses, Bin Suroor proved his enduring class as a top trainer for Godolphin, staying ahead of the competition at the prestigious event.
Oisin Murphy rode Wild Tiger to victory, securing a memorable win for both the horse and the trainer.
"The numbers are getting smaller but sometimes we have luck," said Bin Suroor.
"Last year we had Mawj, she won the 1,000 Guineas and a Grade 1 in America, and this year we have Wild Tiger, who is a winner at Ascot. We're always searching for something but it's not easy for the stable."
Wild Tiger extended his unbeaten record in Britain to four by making a strong charge up the center of the track. With only six career runs, it came as no surprise when Bin Suroor mentioned the possibility of competing in Group races in the future.
He added: “I said to Oisin, 'Keep out of the way of the others, this was my chance to have a winner here!' He’s a top-class jockey and he did it very well. We'll start looking for a Group race for him — he's not going to be a handicapper. We'll keep him at a mile for now, he's got plenty of speed, and then maybe look at going a mile and a quarter later on."
Oisin Murphy secured a day-two double with Wild Tiger's victory following Running Lion's success in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes. This achievement also propelled him to the top of the rider standings for the week, building on Asfoora's Group One win on day one.
"He got the mile well and he relaxed brilliantly," said Murphy. "He had the perfect preparation and Saeed was very confident — he told me I'd win and I'm glad we got it done.
"With a small team Saeed is still very hungry to achieve at this sort of event. Saeed provided me with my first Royal Ascot winner [Benbatl] and he's given me another one today. He's been integral in my career."
Murphy added: "I'm very grateful to Saeed, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and all the people who work for Godolphin. It's a huge operation and these successes are important."
For the second year running, Sonny Liston filled the runner-up spot, with Perotto and Daysofourlives completing the first four places.
"He's run a blinder and outrun last year's effort by a mile," said Sonny Liston's rider Rossa Ryan.
1st- Wild Tiger | Owner: Godolphin & Trainer: S bin Suroor
2nd- Sonny Liston | Owner: Chelsea Thoroughbreds & The Big Bear Trainer: R M Beckett
3rd- Perotto | Owner: Halcyon Thoroughbreds &Trainer: R Varian