Dubai: The Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1), the joint-richest race run at Royal Ascot, may have been cruelly robbed of its star power with the late injury to American superstar California Chrome, but Irish-trained Free Eagle gave it a much-needed boost with a soaring victory on Wednesday.

Nine high-class horses representing five countries, including French and Australian Derby winners, faced the starter in the 2,000-metre contest to vie for a prize of £525,000 (Dh3 million).

However, it was the Dermot Weld-trained Free Eagle who showcased his considerable talent with a hard-earned short-head win over The Grey Gatsby, who lowered the colours of Epsom Derby winner Australia in an equally thrilling Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last September.

Criterion, winner of the Australian Derby, could only finish fifth, while Japanese hope Spielberg, who humbled Gentildonna in the Group 1 Tenno Sho, was sixth.

Weld, who was notching a 17th Royal Ascot success, was delighted, saying: “He got a brilliant ride, he’s a very good horse. When you’ve got a good horse it makes the training easy, but it hasn’t been easy with him. He got a heavy head cold a few weeks ago and I thought today was very much in doubt, but we got him right on the day that mattered.

“He sticks his neck out and he battles. The Irish Champion Stakes will be on the agenda and I’ve always thought the Arc would be the race for him.”

Pat Smullen, who has not sampled Royal success since 2006, added: “I’ve never enjoyed a winner like it. I’ve been saying for so long how good I think this horse is and he’s shown today how good a horse he is. I can’t tell you how good a training performance this is, it hasn’t been easy at all, he’s done wonders with this horse to get him here today.”

Marvellous race

Meanwhile, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, was denied a first win at this year’s Royal meeting when the Barry Hills-trained Fadhayyi was beaten by half a length by Dutch Connection, trained by his son Charlie Hills.

The younger Hills paid respect to his father, saying: “It’s a big shame because Dad would have loved to train another winner here [he has 25 to date].

“It’s a shame to beat him because he’s been such a massive help to all of us, but he’ll have his day again I’m sure.”

Barry Hills was all praise for the runner-up, adding: “She’s run a marvellous race. Paul [Hanagan] said she got a little bit intimidated in the final furlong when the winner came across her a bit. She is a good filly and will win plenty of good races. If I could not win the race, I am pleased Charles did — it is better than us finishing second and third.”

In other races, Shaikh Dalmook Al Maktoum’s Beshrah finished third to Acapulco in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes for two-year-old fillies, while Rizeena had to settle for second behind Amazing Maria, ridden by Godolphin’s James Doyle.