A finish that included raiders from Japan, Australia and France perfectly encapsulated the global appeal of Royal Ascot, but in a division where the home team is often berated for its paucity, Almeraq landed a significant blow for British-trained sprinters in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Success for the Shadwell-owned four-year-old was a tale of triumph over adversity. Almeraq had run only once since taking a horror fall at York last September, but if bringing him back to win a Listed race at Salisbury last month was a remarkable achievement from William Haggas and his team at Somerville Lodge stables, then producing him to win at the highest level on his first attempt in Group company was a minor miracle.
"He was pretty shook up after York," said Haggas. "Itâs quite hard to fall in a race like that at that speed. For a young horse, going at pace, it was difficult.
"We gave him a lot of time. There was no need to get him ready for the autumn and itâs been gently, gently this spring. He won nicely at Salisbury, but this is a completely different jump in class and heâs managed to cope with it. Itâs onwards and upwards now."
Victory looked unlikely for Almeraq as he was bustled along in mid-division by Tom Marquand, but once he found room to manoeuvre he began to grow in confidence.
Flashing home towards the supposedly unfavoured far side of the track, Almeraq sneaked his nose ahead of international runners Satono Reve, Joliestar and Stolen Kiss in a frenzied finish.
"Heâs taken his form to a new level and weâre absolutely delighted with him," said Haggas, for whom this was a fourth winner of the meeting. "Heâs a beautiful horse; big, strong and powerful, and I think heâll get better because heâs been lightly raced.
âI'm thrilled for Shadwell. Iâve been involved with them for quite some time now, and to have a Group 1 winner for them on the biggest stage is terrific. Itâs very hard for all of us to win here, everyone is trying to compete, and to come out on top is great."
The July Cup at Newmarket on July 11 now beckons for Almeraq, who according to Marquand was far happier when he had daylight in front of him compared with when he was hemmed between rivals.
"I had two furlongs when I thought he'd lost his confidence," said Marquand. "After the fall he had, clearly it's just taking him a bit of time to get back comfortable in that racing environment, which is all about tight spaces and high speed.
"Generally, I just think he lacked confidence. He didn't know how to face the back of them, but once he got a bit of clear air he sailed and showed his class. He's a beautiful, big striding horse and hopefully he can gain a bit more confidence from today. He's phenomenally talented."
Marquand praised those who nursed Almeraq back to the track, adding: "He's the epitome of what the team at Somerville Lodge do with horses. They get them happy, healthy and right. He had a horrendous fall last year at York and it's incredible to have him back winning a race, let alone a Group 1.
"Andrew Tinkler, who everyone knows from his jumping days, rides him every day and he called this all along. He's always said this horse is a weapon and he's right. He's done a fantastic job, and to have Sheikha Hissa and the team at Shadwell here today is enormous."
Japan's wait for a first winner at Royal Ascot goes on after last year's runner-up Satono Reve filled the same position again. Beaten half a length by Lazzat 12 months ago, he was denied by just a nose on this occasion under Ryan Moore.
"He ran a great race," said his rider. "The winner just came out of nowhere and nabbed him, but it was a super run."
A further short head away in third was Australian challenger Joliestar, who looked the most likely winner for much of the final furlong only to lose two places in the final strides.
"Iâm just delighted that she turned up," said her trainer Chris Waller. "She performed very well and fought out a great finish, which was typical of the week. Weâve seen some great finishes, and unfortunately that was one of them and we just missed out. But it was just an honour to be here.
"We didnât win today but sheâs certainly got her admirers and thatâs what international racing is all about."
Read more:
'This fellow is the next level' - Clive Cox has a proper one on his hands as Orthodox powers clear in the Norfolk
'I hoped it would click' - Oisin Murphy ends frustrating week on a high with Hardwicke glory on 'legend' Giavellotto
'It was a tough watch, Iâve never experienced anything like that' - bittersweet emotions for sidelined Jim Crowley as Almeraq wins Group 1 epic
Success for the Shadwell-owned four-year-old was a tale of triumph over adversity. Almeraq had run only once since taking a horror fall at York last September, but if bringing him back to win a Listed race at Salisbury last month was a remarkable achievement from William Haggas and his team at Somerville Lodge stables, then producing him to win at the highest level on his first attempt in Group company was a minor miracle.
"He was pretty shook up after York," said Haggas. "Itâs quite hard to fall in a race like that at that speed. For a young horse, going at pace, it was difficult.
"We gave him a lot of time. There was no need to get him ready for the autumn and itâs been gently, gently this spring. He won nicely at Salisbury, but this is a completely different jump in class and heâs managed to cope with it. Itâs onwards and upwards now."
Victory looked unlikely for Almeraq as he was bustled along in mid-division by Tom Marquand, but once he found room to manoeuvre he began to grow in confidence.
Flashing home towards the supposedly unfavoured far side of the track, Almeraq sneaked his nose ahead of international runners Satono Reve, Joliestar and Stolen Kiss in a frenzied finish.
"Heâs taken his form to a new level and weâre absolutely delighted with him," said Haggas, for whom this was a fourth winner of the meeting. "Heâs a beautiful horse; big, strong and powerful, and I think heâll get better because heâs been lightly raced.
âI'm thrilled for Shadwell. Iâve been involved with them for quite some time now, and to have a Group 1 winner for them on the biggest stage is terrific. Itâs very hard for all of us to win here, everyone is trying to compete, and to come out on top is great."
The July Cup at Newmarket on July 11 now beckons for Almeraq, who according to Marquand was far happier when he had daylight in front of him compared with when he was hemmed between rivals.
"I had two furlongs when I thought he'd lost his confidence," said Marquand. "After the fall he had, clearly it's just taking him a bit of time to get back comfortable in that racing environment, which is all about tight spaces and high speed.
"Generally, I just think he lacked confidence. He didn't know how to face the back of them, but once he got a bit of clear air he sailed and showed his class. He's a beautiful, big striding horse and hopefully he can gain a bit more confidence from today. He's phenomenally talented."
Marquand praised those who nursed Almeraq back to the track, adding: "He's the epitome of what the team at Somerville Lodge do with horses. They get them happy, healthy and right. He had a horrendous fall last year at York and it's incredible to have him back winning a race, let alone a Group 1.
"Andrew Tinkler, who everyone knows from his jumping days, rides him every day and he called this all along. He's always said this horse is a weapon and he's right. He's done a fantastic job, and to have Sheikha Hissa and the team at Shadwell here today is enormous."
Japan's wait for a first winner at Royal Ascot goes on after last year's runner-up Satono Reve filled the same position again. Beaten half a length by Lazzat 12 months ago, he was denied by just a nose on this occasion under Ryan Moore.
"He ran a great race," said his rider. "The winner just came out of nowhere and nabbed him, but it was a super run."
A further short head away in third was Australian challenger Joliestar, who looked the most likely winner for much of the final furlong only to lose two places in the final strides.
"Iâm just delighted that she turned up," said her trainer Chris Waller. "She performed very well and fought out a great finish, which was typical of the week. Weâve seen some great finishes, and unfortunately that was one of them and we just missed out. But it was just an honour to be here.
"We didnât win today but sheâs certainly got her admirers and thatâs what international racing is all about."
Read more:
'This fellow is the next level' - Clive Cox has a proper one on his hands as Orthodox powers clear in the Norfolk
'I hoped it would click' - Oisin Murphy ends frustrating week on a high with Hardwicke glory on 'legend' Giavellotto
'It was a tough watch, Iâve never experienced anything like that' - bittersweet emotions for sidelined Jim Crowley as Almeraq wins Group 1 epic
