Kingsgate Native bounces back

Ascot, England: Long shot Kingsgate Native scored an upset in the Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group 1), the highlight of the fifth and final day at Royal Ascot, shortly after The Queen was celebrating winning her first race at the meeting for nine years.

Originally named the Cork & Orrery Stakes, the prestigious six furlong sprint was renamed in 2002 to honour Her Majesty's 50th anniversary since her accession to the throne.

So it was fitting that Queen Elizabeth joined in the gaiety that is synonymous with Ascot following Free Agent's victory in the Listed Chesham Stakes.

Trainer Richard Hannon said next year's Derby would be the main target for the two-year-old who is unbeaten in starts under Richard Hughes.

Queen Elizabeth last visited the winner's enclosure at her own meeting in 1999 when Blueprint won the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes.

On a dark and gloomy day at the Berkshire course Her Majesty looked radiant in a bright blue dress as she flashed smiles in the winner's enclosure.

Halfway stage

Also grinning from ear to ear was trainer John Best after Kingsgate Native, who finished 10 of 13 in Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes, bounced back to record a 1 1/4 length victory over War Artist in the Golden Jubilee.

A winner of the Nunthorpe Stakes as a two-year-old last August the 33-1 shot was given a peach of a ride by Seb Sanders as the favourite Takeover Target could only finish sixth while heavily fancied Sakhee's Secret did not relish the soft ground and trailed in last of 17.

Godolphin's Diabolical looked to have every chance at the halfway stage of the six furlong contest but could manage no better than 16th.

A delighted Best, who saddled 100-1 chance Flashmans Papers to win on the opening afternoon at Royal Ascot, said: "It means so much to the yard to have winners, and to have winners here is the ultimate. "Everyone has worked so hard at home and it's so good to do it on the day."

Winning jockey Sanders added: "He was a bit keen early and it just took me a while to get him into his rhythm and settle him.

"He carried me very easily to the two-pole and it was just a case of getting past those hardened horses in front. "He knuckled down and picked up really well, he's given me a terrific ride throughout.

He's going to be a star sprinter for a while."

Earlier in the afternoon Johnny Murtagh and Aidan O'Brien combined to win their fifth race at Royal Ascot when Macarthur landed the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes. Maraahel, bidding for a hat-trick in the race, was a game third.

He was a bit keen early and it just took me a while to get him into his rhythm and settle him.."

Seb Sanders

Kingsgate Native jockey

Results

Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) 6f:

1. Kingsgate Native 33/1 ( Best) S Sanders; 2. War Agent 8/1 (J Eustace) K McEvoy; 3. Sir Gerry 20/1 (J Fanshawe) J Spencer

Distances: 1 1/4length, 3/4, 2 1/4.

Winning Time: 1m 13.33s

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) 1m 4f:

1. Macarthur 11/8 Fav (A O'Brien) J Murtagh; 2. Multidimensional 25/1 (H Cecil) T Durcan; 3. Maraahel 5/1 (S M Stoute) R Hills.

Distances: Neck, 5 lengths, 1.

Winning Time: 2m 31.29s.