William Buick screams home with Ombudsman to dazzle 41,000 fans including the Prince of Wales at Royal Ascot
Approval could not have come from a higher place. So impressed was the Prince Of Wales with Ombudsman's victory in the race that carries his title, he repeatedly – and animatedly – told winning connections what he had seen was exceptional.
He wasn't wrong. The heir to the throne, like the rest of the 41,571 crowd, had been dazzled by that most thrilling sight, a thoroughbred in prime condition dashing past high-class rivals as if they were statues. No wonder William Buick, the successful jockey, screamed in delight as he crossed the line.
This is always one of the most important races of the year, a test over a mile-and-a-quarter with no place to hide, but once Buick asked the 7/1 shot to go through the gears, the game was up, much as it was when Field Of Gold was set alight 24 hours earlier in the St James's Palace Stakes.
What a way this was for John Gosden, who trains with his son, Thady, to bring up his 70th Royal Ascot success and what great fortune it has been for everyone at Ascot to see these superstars dazzling in the sun – Ombudsman and Field Of Gold are the kind of horses that invite sport lovers to dream.
'And why not?' said Gosden senior, who was completing a double after Crimson Advocate's success in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes. 'William said he has a lot of speed. He has done nothing but grow in stature. I think we had him spot on. This horse has an extraordinary turn of foot.'
He really has. Anmaat, such a smart performer for Owen Burrows and winner of last season's Champion Stakes at Ascot, couldn't keep pace nor could the favourite Los Angeles or Andrew Balding's improving mare See The Fire. After so many near misses, this was what Buick needed.
'This place tames lions,' said Buick, whose high-profile defeats in the blue of Godolphin had included Notable Speech, Ruling Court and Cinderella's Dream. 'It is so special to win here because it's so tough. Everyone comes here in great form and everyone is doing their very best, of course.'
Here was the perfect pick-me-up to a day that had begun with a horrible incident when Harry's Girl, a promising two-year-old for Richard Hannon, damaged her leg and couldn't be save following a tumble during the helter-skelter of the Queen Mary, won by the 9/4 favourite True Love.
It was the sole blip on a fabulous afternoon, which featured a brilliant win for Carmers, who smashed the course record in the Queen's Vase for Billy Lee, and a gamble being landed in the Royal Hunt Cup by My Cloud, who was sent-off 3/1 favourite in a field of 30. Someone knew what to expect.
From the expected, though, we go to the uncertain, namely this afternoon's Gold Cup. It is a huge shame that Kyprios is not here to defend his crown, with injury having forced his retirement, but from the substitute's bench, Illionis has been called to try and emulate his old stablemate.
Aidan O'Brien always felt that a mission in this historic, two-and-a-half mile war of attrition was going to be on Illinois's agenda but not until 2026. Will this test come too early? We will only know for sure when they field completes a lap and the journey begins into the unknown.
'He seems in very good form,' said O'Brien, aware that the in-form Gosdens saddle a significant danger in Trawlerman. 'He was the obvious one when Kyprios was injured. We were very happy with what he did when he came back at Chester last month. Let's see what happens.'
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