A royal shock! The Queen’s horse Reach For The Moon finishes second in the Hampton Court Stakes with Frankie Dettori’s hot favourite beaten by Claymore at Ascot, denying her a 25th winner at the meeting
- Claymore fended off Reach For The Moon to win the Hampton Court Stakes
- The result denied the Queen, and jockey Frankie Dettori, a Royal Ascot winner
- Colt Claymore quickly pulled out ahead to win by a length and three-quarters
Claymore fended off Reach For The Moon in the Hampton Court Stakes to deny the Queen a Royal Ascot winner.
All week the hope had been that, while the royal silks held various each-way chances, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Reach For The Moon was the one that would provide Her Majesty with a 25th winner at the meeting in her Platinum Jubilee year.
Frankie Dettori tracked Adam Kirby on Claymore into the straight and while on entering the final furlong 2-5 favourite Reach For The Moon drew level, as the contest wore on Jane Chapple-Hyam’s well-regarded colt, who had no joy in the French Guineas last time out, pulled out more to win by a length and three-quarters.
Reach For The Moon, the Queen’s horse, could only finish second in the Hampton Court Stakes
He added: ‘Just to get a winner here is very special. It’s great to be here and full credit to the horse. You can never do it without them – you need the ammunition.’
Delighted owner Mary Slack said: ‘I’m really thrilled and delighted. We thought he would run well in the French Guineas but from a terrible draw he was hopeless. This was the return.
‘I hardly watched really. I couldn’t be more excited and thanks to Jane who has been brilliant. She has had a great week.
Claymore, ridden by jockey Adam Kirby (centre left), held off the challengers to take the win
‘I’ve mainly had horses in South Africa, but I’ve been in racing for a long time. I have never been to these heights before.’
The 7-1 chance was providing Chapple-Hyam with a second winner of the week after Saffron Beach on Wednesday.
Kirby said: ‘It’s sad for the Queen, but Claymore has always been a proper horse. I think he proved that in his trial (second to Native Trail in the Craven) when he ran a great race. Last time was a disaster. The only positive to come out of it was that it made a man of him.
‘His attitude today was brilliant. It was a first-class performance and hopefully he’ll take another step forward when he gets proper ground.’