Moore joy for Hayley talented rider

I don't think I've ever experienced a day that has thrown up so many surprises and featured as many ups and downs as Ascot did on Saturday.

The day kicked off when Hayley Moore beat 19 other amateur riders in the annual Ladies' race on Kevin Ryan's Captain Ramius and began what was to be a very memorable weekend for the well-bred rider-cum commentator! All of this before the action and atmosphere stepped up a notch as the tension built towards the 51st running of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

After backing a few losers beforehand, I thought I'd try anything possible in my mission to get some money back from the Tote, so went down the paddock to see if any inspiration could be gained from getting up close and personal with the five runners in the day's feature.

With the sun shining brightly, summer really did itself justice and at one stage, I was even beginning to get slightly worried for poor old Prince Harry who was himself looking a little hot under the collar as he perused the runners for the big race. You know how sunburnt those with ginger hair tend to get!

Anyway, his presence really added to the excitable tension and I have to admit, even I pulled out my iphone to take a snap of the second in line to the throne, just for souvenir's sake you understand!

Sadly however, what promised to be the race of all races turned into tragedy and as I watched the action unfold from the press viewing area, I could not believe what was happening before my eyes. As Frankie Dettori began to make a winning move aboard Godolphin's Rewilding, the dual Group One winner tumbled to the ground after suffering a devastating, and fatal, injury to his near foreleg. At that moment, as the crowd began to cheer home their selection, the whole atmosphere changed all around the course and suddenly Ascot was surrounded by an eerie silence as everyone hoped they had seen an unfortunate, but not life threatening incident; sadly it was the latter, and no one could comprehend the terrible scenes. Need I say more?

Professional touch

John Gosden, who was responsible for the eventual winner, Nathaniel, showed nothing but extreme professionalism and was the first on the scene to attend to the grief-stricken horse. A man who goes down in my book as one of the most interesting and pragmatic of people, the Newmarket trainer explained in simple terms to members of the public listening on the PA system exactly how incidents like this are tragic, but nevertheless a sad part of horseracing and his sentimental words were impeccably well translated.

On a brighter note, congratulations to the aforementioned Hayley Moore who beat 44 female hopefuls in the ‘Filly Factor' commentating competition on Sunday. Moore finished ahead of Ladbrokes sports broadcaster Rachel Casey who failed to attract as many votes in the phone poll, but still did an excellent job, and if I had picked up the phone, she would have received my vote!