3 minute read

Not many maidens win Royal Ascot handicaps but Thesis proved that it's not impossible when landing the Britannia Stakes at odds of 14/1.

With a handicap mark of 90 after four placed efforts, the son of Kingman, Thesis quickened well to lead before repelling the fast-finishing Saga (12/1), in the colours of Her Majesty The Queen, by a head. Jimi Hendrix (20/1) was a length and a quarter further back in third while Whoputfiftyinyou (6/1) filled fourth.

The success capped a fantastic 40 minutes for jockey Ryan Moore, while also providing a first Royal Ascot victory for Harry Charlton in partnership with his father Roger.

Roger Charlton said: "It has been a bit frustrating – he was beaten by a very good horse at Newbury [My Prospero], who was just beaten in the St James's Palace. Ryan [Moore] said he thought he should have won that day. And then he went to Lingfield where he got beaten –they said, 'you realise that's Simon Crisford's best three-year-old, don't you?'. Then we went to Doncaster and got balloted out of a mile maiden.

"We got frustrated as we were trying to come here, so we thought we'd run over seven furlongs, which probably isn't his trip. Jamie Spencer rode him and the plan was to drop in, but there was no pace, he was in front, and gets caught on the line. He was two to one on or something and all the punters were going crazy, saying, 'how did you manage to get that beat?!' Anyway, it's come good.

"It's a competitive race. You have 30 horses with an equal chance. I thought the ground might be a bit quick, but it was fine. He was well-suited by a fast-run race. Ryan was very complimentary after the race about the horse. I think, being a Juddmonte horse, and he's half-brother to Quadrilateral, in the future will be looking at Listed and Group races. I think we just take our time now. He's had a few races this year, and he'd probably in theory prefer a little more cut in the ground. We won't be rushing back – we'll see what happens."

Moore said: "Thesis is a very talented horse. I could not believe I got beat on him twice already this year and he himself has been beaten in three maidens. He needed a big field – he travelled beautifully and quickened up well. He is still a bit babyish. That was his first win today. I think mentally more than anything, he is still learning with what he needs to do. He will continue to get better and win some more."

THESIS just holds off Saga to win the Britannia Stakes - two in a row for Ryan Moore! pic.twitter.com/IflFpCYWaV

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 16, 2022