Royal Ascot Guide
Welcome to all our owners, supporters and friends of the yard,
Royal Ascot is upon us and we’re looking forward to what promises to be a busy and exciting week for Athassel House Stud, with seven runners set to line up across the meeting. Throughout the week, you can follow our runners day by day here on the blog and hear Paddy’s thoughts on each horse as they prepare to take their chance on one of racing’s biggest stages.
Friday, 19 June
4:20pm – Coronation Stakes
Black Caviar Gold
Owner: Bond Thoroughbred Limited
Jockey: WJ Lee
Our final runner of the week sees Black Caviar Gold line up in Friday’s feature race, the Coronation Stakes, in the colours of Bond Thoroughbred Limited.
A Group 3-winning juvenile, the daughter of Havana Grey has always thrived on her racing and took a significant step forward from her seasonal debut to her second start of the year when finishing an excellent fourth in the Irish 1000 Guineas last month.
She arrives at Ascot in great form and, while a rain shower would certainly not go amiss, we’re hopeful she can build again on her latest performance. This is another competitive contest, but she looks to have earned her place and we hope she can finish the week with a strong showing.
Thursday, 18 June
3:40pm – Ribblesdale Stakes
Dark Lucinda
Owner: Robert JW Moran & Ballylinch Stud
Jockey: WJ Lee
Dark Lucinda lines up in the 3:40pm Ribblesdale Stakes carrying the colours of Robert Moran, in partnership with Ballylinch Stud.
A taking winner on debut at Gowran Park, the daughter of Dark Angel now takes a significant step up in class, but she is a filly we feel has the ability to make that transition.
She will need to overcome her relative inexperience against more battle-hardened rivals, but she deserves her chance to take her place in this field. If she brings her best to Ascot, we’re hopeful she can acquit herself well in what looks a strong renewal of the race.
We’re looking forward to seeing her take her chance and hope she can put up a bold showing.
4:15pm – Gold Cup
Carmers
Owner: Ms Fiona Carmichael
Jockey: WJ Lee
It’s great to be competing in one of the flagship races of the week at Royal Ascot and, with Carmers, we feel we have a live chance.
He gave us a memorable first Royal Ascot winner last year when landing the Queen’s Vase and it would be very special if he could deliver another big performance on racing’s biggest stage.
He was impressive on his latest start at Down Royal, his first attempt at two miles, and our feeling is that the further he goes, the better he becomes. He seems to be thriving and arrives here in good form.
We hope he can give his connections another day to remember!
Wednesday, 17 June
2:30pm – Queen Mary Stakes
Velozee
Owner: Gary Matthews, Steve Weston, Lucky Hat Racing
Jockey: WJ Lee
Velozee is a filly we hold in high regard. Her reputation was enhanced by an excellent performance in the First Flier Stakes at the Curragh earlier this season.
She wasn’t quite at her best on her latest start in the Group 3 at Naas and ran a little below the level we know she’s capable of.
We’ll need to see her bounce back from that effort, but she’s had the opportunity to freshen up since and the return to 5 furlongs looks a positive. We’re hopeful that we’ll see a better version of Velozee today.
Big Negotiator
Owner: Bond Thoroughbred Limited
Jockey: PJ McDonald
This comes quickly after her maiden success last week, but Big Negotiator is a hardy daughter of Havana Grey and seems to have taken her racing well. After showing promise in a couple of starts in Ireland, she travelled to York, the local track of owner Charlie Bond, and produced an impressive performance to win comfortably under PJ McDonald, who retains the ride today.
The trip and conditions should suit her and, while these races always require a bit of luck in running, she arrives here in good form. If things fall her way, we’re hopeful she can put up another big performance.
3:40pm – Duke Of Cambridge Stakes
Catalina Delcarpio
Owner: Lordship Stud
Jockey: WJ Lee
Catalina is one we’re really looking forward to seeing in action in today’s Duke of Cambridge Stakes. She has continued to go from strength to strength this season and we’re hopeful there is still more improvement to come.
She ran an excellent race to finish third in the Ribblesdale at this meeting last year and has adapted well to dropping back in trip since. Her latest performance at Leopardstown, where she beat the boys in impressive fashion, suggested she belongs at this level and is continuing to progress.
This represents another step up in grade, but she is a high-class filly and we’re hopeful she can produce another big performance and go even closer at this year’s Royal Meeting.
Tuesday, 16 June
5:00pm – Ascot Stakes
ISMAHANE
Owner: Mrs Emma Kennedy & Ringfort Stud Limited
Jockey: WJ Lee
Since joining the yard in December, she has put together a number of encouraging runs over hurdles and now returns to the Flat.
On her most recent start on the level, she finished second in the Group 3 Italian St Leger, and this staying test looks well within her compass. She strikes us as a filly who continues to progress with racing and one who should be suited by the demands of this contest.
As always in a large-field Ascot handicap, luck in running will play its part, but Ismahane appears to be on a workable mark and arrives here in good order.
She’s an improving filly and we’re hopeful she can run a big race and be competitive at the finish.