Saturday, Jun 22, 2013
Dubai Trainer Clive Cox led a chorus of praise for Lethal Force who underlined his liking for Royal Ascot with a tenacious victory in the £500,000 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1), the richest race of its kind in Europe and the highlight of the final day’s meeting on Saturday.
Some of the best sprinters in Britain, France, Australia and America, lined-up in the 1,600m contest but it was former two-time Royal Ascot scorer Lethal Force who displayed class to hammer out a two-length victory over favourite Society Rock and third place Krypton Factor.
Dandy Boy, bidding to give Malih Al Basti, Meydan Group Board Member and Chairman of the Racing Committee, a second Royal Ascot success after the Workingham Stakes last June, was 14th while Godolphin’s Soul, who was fourth behind Black Caviar in this race last season, looked a shadow of himself and finished last but one.
Irish-bred Lethal Force provided Lambourn handler Clive Cox with a fourth Royal triumph on his third try at the Royal meeting after two fourth placed efforts in the Coventry Stakes (G2) in 2011 and the Jersey Stakes (G3) a year later.
“I’m thrilled for everyone, the owner, the team at home. He’s special, we always hoped he was, and Adam is such a brilliant rider. When he sent him he was explosive, this is so special to me,” a delighted Cox told Channel Four Racing.
“He’s in the July Cup, but I’m not sure if Newmarket will suit him, if I’m honest - although it does look logical. Reckless Abandon (stablemate) is also in it as well, but we won’t worry about that now.”
Trainer James Fanshawe said of second placed Society Rock: “He ran a very good race. There wasn’t much between them at York and they seem to be the top two in the sprinting division at the moment. Hopefully he’ll be right for Newmarket (July Cup) and then we’ll take it from there.”
Krypton Factor is also due to renew rivalries in July Cup.
Bahraini trainer Fawzi Nass said of third-placed Krypton Factor: “He’s in great form this year. Last year we had to go to Singapore and there was a lot of travelling for him in a short time before he was sixth in this race.
“This year was a different case. We came here direct from Dubai. He will come on for this as well. He’s just had the one recent piece of work which went well, but I’m sure he will improve for this.
“We are based near Newmarket to campaign this horse and we use the gallops. He will go for the July Cup next - it will be a bit closer to home.”
Earlier Royal Ascot was plunged into gloom after Thomas Chippendale died just moments after winning the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes.
Trained by Lady Jane Cecil, the winner was gaining back-to-back royal successes having landed last year’s King Edward VII Stakes, but suffered a suspected heart attack after collapsing shortly after the finishing post.
Earlier in the race favourite Ektihaam slipped up on the bend and ejected jockey Paul Hanagan onto the running rail. Both rider and horse were reported to be okay, though Hanagan was stood down for the rest of the day.
By Leslie Wilson Jr Racing & Special ?Features Writer
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