The prizes for leading owner, trainer and jockey at Royal Ascot proved to be a clean sweep for team Coolmore. Coolmore's various partnerships won six races in total over the five days. That same number was recorded by Godolphin, but Coolmore got the nod for the award with seven seconds to Godolphin's six. Those wins were highlighted by Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) in the G1 Commonwealth Cup; Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Prince of Wales's S; and Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Coronation S.
“It is marvellous. It has been a fantastic week and we have thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Coolmore's UK representative Kevin Buckley. “As we all know, it is an ultra-competitive week, so we are always happy to get a couple of winners. We were fortunate this year to have six.”
All of those six winners were trained by Aidan O'Brien, who was well clear of Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby and John Gosden with two. The tally was one off the record of seven at the meeting O'Brien set last year. He said, “I'm delighted for everybody. We're very lucky to be able to do what we do and have these horses. We always hope to do well at Royal Ascot and we always try and have the horses ready for this meeting but we don't really expect anything really–credit must go to all the team who do such a great job at home, it's a big team effort.”
Asked what he viewed as his most exciting winner of the week, O'Brien replied, “Every victory here is very important, but I suppose you would have to be impressed with what Caravaggio did in the Commonwealth Cup. He had only had one easy run coming into that race at Naas and he was only just about ready to run. It was a tough race but he did it very well against some good horses.”
Ryan Moore rode a total of six winners, clear of William Buick with four and James Doyle and Jamie Spencer with two apiece.
Guy Henderson, chief executive of Ascot Racecourse, said, “it's been another fantastic Royal meeting, and congratulations firstly have to go to Coolmore for winning the inaugural Royal Ascot owners' competition; however, acknowledgment also has to go to Godolphin, who led for most of the way, offered stiff competition and provided one of the stories of the week–we are delighted for them. Both owners tied on six winners, with Coolmore going ahead on count back achieving one extra second place. Owners are the lifeblood of the sport and I would like to salute all those who have invested in the racehorses who ran during Royal Ascot 2017. It is these horses who provide our entertainment.”
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