Letter from Ascot: The Carriage

It was when I saw the carriage. It was GI Preakness S. morning this year, and I was throwing stuff I needed for my Sirius XM show into a bag. And then, I saw it again, out of the corner of my eye.

Every television station had it on. You couldn't miss it. Live coverage of the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. It was when I saw that gleaming ancient Landau carriage, one of five made for the Royal Family in 1863.

The very one that carries the Queen to the races every day for the Royal Meeting at Ascot was now carrying Meghan and Harry to the cheers and waves of thousands.

The whole world was watching the overflowing small town of Windsor. Only eight miles from Ascot racetrack. It was then I started to mentally list my early wagers for the upcoming meet.

Now, a month later, I have just placed my future bets (the locals call them “antepost wagers.”) Even though he does not have the great trainer, Aidan O'Brien, on his side, I did play the jockey who I think is the finest rider in the world right now, William Buick, to be the champion of the five day meet at 10-1.

A jockey who has impressed me lately is Oisin Murphy, who as a teenager, rode jumpers for his uncle, Jim Culloty, in Ireland. I got 25-1 as a throwaway flyer. The only flat jockey I can remember who actually rode a parimutuel steeplechase was Jean Cruguet. He lost, as I will, too.

The favorite for leading rider and the Ritz trophy is Ryan Moore, at 4-9, thanks to getting his mounts from Aidan O'Brien, who is 1-2 to repeat as leading trainer. My money went on John Gosden, who I remember as assistant to Charlie Whittingham at Santa Anita. He then went out on his own to win The Big 'Cap in 1983 with Bates Motel. He is 7-2 with a fine string of Thoroughbreds. I might cash. Purse money has been raised to over five-million GB pounds ($6,636,404) for the five-day meet, where more than 400 helicopters will bring fans, who will consume over 51,000 bottles of champagne.

And on that flat piece of land, just down hill from the castle, you can see that same Landau carriage being drawn by the same four Windsor grey horses from the recent Royal Wedding, daily bringing the Queen of England to the races. What a country!

You can wager on O'Brien, Moore, Gosden, Buick or Murphy.

You can also bet on what color hat the Queen will be wearing daily in that 1863 carriage. It is a strange but wonderful big sport in a strange but wonderful little country. As a horseplayer and gambler, it is the best place in the world.

Editor's note: Dave Johnson is a racecaller and sportscaster (famous for his signature `And down the stretch they come!') who is attending his 24th consecutive Royal Ascot meeting this year. He is writing a daily Ascot report for the TDN.