Dubai: Ryan Moore illustrated why he’s held in such high regard by fans and fellow jockeys alike on Friday, when he delivered a dominant ride aboard Hillstar to win the King Edward VII Stakes, a race previously known as the Ascot Derby.
Although favourites have a fine record in the race, having won five of the last 10 runnings of the 2,400m contest market-leader Battle Of Marengo was caught out for pace in the final furlong as Hillstar strengthened with every stride to go past for a length-and-a-half victory.
Mutashaded, ridden by Paul Hanagan in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, was third while Godolphin’s Tha’ir finished last of eight.
“He’s a horse I’ve always thought a lot of. I was taken a bit further back than I would have liked but he got there in the end,” Moore told Channel Four Racing.
Winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who on Thursday had teamed up with Moore to win the Gold Cup for Her Majesty The Queen said: “We had him in the Derby and the Irish Derby and his first two races this year hadn’t gone right.
“At Newbury, what would have been the pacemaker was withdrawn and he hit the gate too well and was too keen.
“We dropped him out today to make sure he didn’t do that again. The lady the bred him (Renee Robeson) has always adored him. Ryan was very good today.”
Bookmakers Sky Bet introduced Hillstar to the St Leger (G1) market at 10/1 where Godolphin’s new acquisition Libertarian is the 6-1 favourite behind Epsom Derby (G1) hero Ruler Of The World.
Earlier in the afternoon, trainer Charlie Hills, who took over from his father Barry in the summer of 2011, saddled his first Royal Ascot winner when Kiyoshi landed the Albany Stakes.
The daughter of Dubawi, who carried the colours of Qatar’s Al Thani brothers, Shaikhs Hamad, Fahad and Suhaim, was ridden by Jamie Spencer who was required to delve on all his experience to keep the filly on a straight course.
A delighted Hills commented: “She was pretty smart there — Jamie gave her a lovely patient ride and there was plenty of pace. He gave her a little squeeze and she took off, almost getting there too soon.
“It’s pretty daunting for a two-year-old having only her third start. It was just greenness more than anything,” he added in reference to the Kiyoshi’s running style.
“If she comes out of this okay we’ll have a look at the Cherry Hinton Stakes [now known as the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes] at Newmarket and Lowther Stakes at York.
“It’s fantastic getting a first Royal Ascot winner — it’s been a long week up to now, but the shortest-priced horse we’ve had [before Kiyoshi] has been about 20/1. It’s not easy here.”
Shaikh Fahad added: “It means a lot to have a winner, but especially at this place. It draws the best horses and you cannot get any better than that. I was in the middle of the crowd and it was difficult to see the finish — I just saw Jamie flash by.”
