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British-bred contenders enjoyed plenty of success at Royal Ascot 2016, with three of the Group 1 races, as well as a handful of other valuable races including two Group 2s, going the way of British breeders.
The talking point of Tuesday was the clash of the Guineas winners, with Galileo Gold (QIPCO 2,000 Guineas), Awtaad (Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas) and The Gurkha (Poule d’Essai Poulains) all locking horns in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes. It was the British-bred of the trio, Galileo Gold, who asserted his class over his rivals. The Hugo Palmer trained colt continues to improve the credentials of Highclere Stud stallion Paco Boy, who is firmly establishing himself as a valuable second season sire, currently standing at a fee of just £6,500.
The next Group 1 to go the way of British breeders was the second running of the Commonwealth Cup, which was claimed by Quiet Reflection. This daughter of Showcasing, who stands at Whitsbury Manor Stud for a fee of £25,000, was bred by Springcombe Park Stud. The filly, out of the Haafhd mare My Delerium, was purchased by trainer Karl Burke at the Goffs UK 2yo Breeze Up Sale in April 2015 for £44,000, having previously been bought as a yearling for £32,000 at the Goffs UK Silver Sale in August 2014.
Ed Harper, Director of Whitsbury Manor Stud, commented:
“We were delighted last year with the creation of the Commonwealth Cup as a new pinnacle for the three-year-old sprinting division and to think Showcasing has been able to sire the winner in just its second year is absolutely fantastic. I’m thrilled for all of those connected with Quiet Reflection as she looks very good.”
The week also brought success for British owner-breeders in the form of Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes winner, Twilight Son, trained by Henry Candy. The colt was bred at home by owner Godfrey Wilson’s wife, Caroline, out of their highly successful mare Twilight Mistress, who also threw Music Master, another Candy group-winning stable star. Wilson, who sold a majority share of Twilight Son to Cheveley Park in July 2015 but whose colours are still carried on the track, commented:
“This is our first Royal Ascot winner – we have come close before but this is absolutely brilliant and I am very emotional... This horse was bred by my wife and she won the small breeder of the year prize last year. She will be absolutely over the moon.”
Other notable British-bred Royal Ascot successes included Primitivo (Excellent Art x Dolcetto (Danehill Dancer), bred by Lesley Field) in the King George V Stakes on Thursday and Dartmouth (Dubawi x Galatee (Galileo), bred by Darley) in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes on Saturday. The latter, owned by Her Majesty The Queen and trained by Sir Michael Stoute, survived a Stewards Enquiry to give Her Majesty the 90th birthday Royal Ascot winner that the crowds were hoping for.
British breeders Newsells Park Stud and Hascombe and Valiant Stud also enjoyed victories with Sir Isaac Newton (Galileo x Shastye (Danehill)) in the Wolferton Handicap (Listed) and with Across The Stars (Sea The Stars x Victoria Cross (Mark Of Esteem)) in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes, respectively.
Louise Kemble, Chief Executive of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, said:
“It was great to see British-bred horses succeeding at the highest level during the Royal Meeting including Galileo Gold, Quiet Reflection and Twilight Son. GBRI have been working to promote top level British success and we are grateful for this support during the season.”