Royal Champion too good for Almaqam in York Stakes
Lee kept his mount in a handy position and was happy to bide his time as the race developed, and though Almaqam did hit his stride late on he was no match for Royal Champion as he strode to a career-best two-and-three-quarter-length win.
'He's cantered round, they all seemed to be coming off it (the bridle) while he was still travelling well,' said Burke.
Royal Champion puts the race to bed! 🔥
An emphatic winner of the Sky Bet York Stakes!🥇#ITVRacing | @yorkracecourse | @CliffordleexLee | @karl_burke pic.twitter.com/smM28teLLE
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) July 26, 2025
'Cliff said that's the best he's ever picked up and quickened. He was working nicely, but he always works nicely – I thought that was a massive step up on what he's done, they can't all have run bad races, can they?
'He was always travelling strongly and when Cliff pushed the button he just picked up.
'There are not that many races to go for with him, he's won his Group Three and you're always looking to step up.
'This looked a nice race, it's York and it's local, I was hoping the ground would be a bit quicker, but he's handled that.
'We were hoping for a good run. We've had winners (recently), but there's been a few just not quite going our way.
'We haven't had a lot of luck for Sheikh Obaid lately, so it is nice to get a Group Two for him.'
Of next steps for the seven-year-old, Burke added: 'I'll have to talk to the owner and see if he wants to supplement him for the Juddmonte International after that performance, we'll have a good chat.
'He was second in Woodbine for Roger Varian (in the Canadian International Stakes), that could be a nice Group One to go for.
'He's a lovely horse and he goes on the all-weather as well, hopefully he's a horse we can campaign around the world.
'Why not go to the Irish Champion Stakes? He owes us nothing, but I'll have to chat to the owner.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Leader Live
Term Of Endearment out for Lillie Langtry repeat
Having previously won twice at Group Three level, the six-year-old bagged this Group Two prize 12 months ago for Henry de Bromhead before being sold for 1.3 million guineas at Tattersalls in December. She has failed to add her tally since joining William Haggas for her new owner Zhang Yuesheng, but was only beaten a head by Scenic in the Bronte Cup at York on her penultimate start and was just over two lengths behind veteran stayer Coltrane in Sandown's Coral Marathon four weeks ago. 'She obviously won the race last year but we didn't have her then,' said Haggas. 'She seems fine, she's a nice filly and the drop of rain would suit her. 'It might have been good to firm when she won last year, but in our experience with her, she'd be suited by the drop of rain.' Term Of Endearment's rivals include Goodie Two Shoes, who has won her last three races for Joseph O'Brien and JP McManus, while John and Thady Gosden saddle both Sueno and Danielle and Owen Burrows sends out Waardah, winner of a Listed event at this track in early June. O'Brien said of his runner: 'It looks a nice race but we are a little worried about the rain so we'll be taking a watching brief on that, but she's in good shape and has prepared well for the race. 'Since coming back to the Flat she has really taken her form to another level over staying distances and we'll be trying to make her a Group Two winner after winning a Group Three last time.' Haggas also saddles the defending champion in the Group Three Coral Glorious Stakes in Al Aasy, as well as six-time winner Candleford. He added: 'Hopefully Al Aasy will run a good race in it again. He won it last year so we know he acts on the track, which is not always a given. 'Candleford won't run if it is soft, so it depends how soft it is.' In the same race Charlie Appleby is represented by one-time Classic contender Arabian Crown, who finished third behind stablemate El Cordobes in the Group Two Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket on his first start since being gelded. Speaking on the Godolphin website, Appleby said: 'Arabian Crown put up a pleasing effort in the Princess of Wales's Stakes and came out of the race well. 'The ground was quick enough at Newmarket and he should enjoy the slower conditions here.'
Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Leader Live
Jm Jungle surprises King George rivals
A field of 12 sprinters went to post for the five-furlong dash, with John and Sean Quinn's high-class handicapper Jm Jungle a 14-1 shot for what was his first appearance at Group-race level. Smartly away in the hands of Jason Hart, the five-year-old was towards the main group that raced on the far side of the track from the start and showed a willing attitude when the challengers attempted to reel him late on to prevail by a neck. She's Quality filled the runner-up spot for her fourth race in succession, with Commonwealth Cup victor Time For Sandals half a length further behind in third. JM Jungle wins the King George Qatar Stakes 🏆💨 — ITV Racing (@itvracing) August 1, 2025 John Quinn was winning the race for a second time, having saddled Highfield Princess to strike gold two years ago, and his son Sean said: 'We looked at the sprint division, decided it wasn't as strong as usual and that we would throw our hat into the ring. 'We knew he operated on a downhill track like Epsom (won the Dash on Derby day) and that the ground might inconvenience others more than us. 'He probably loves fast ground but he's versatile and is a horse that gives his all, while he's a lot stronger this year. 'In the paddock he was walking round like an old pro. These opportunities don't come around all that often, and when you have a day like this it's massive.' An appearance closer to home is next on Jm Jungle's agenda, with a tilt at Group One glory in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on August 22 – a race also won by Highfield Princess in 2022 – looming large. 'Jason said early in the season that the race he would love to ride him in would be the Nunthorpe, simply because of how fast they go and how much he likes York,' Quinn added. 'That looks the natural next step because he is a Group Two winner now, so you want to be going up from there, and we put him in the Abbaye earlier in the week and that's a similar race. You get a good draw up the rail and you see how much speed he has – he'd be in that van early doors. 'It was easier watching Highfield Princess because she never looked like getting beat. I was hoping, willing for the line to come in the last furlong today but it did and he toughed it out. The second came to him and I think he went again.'
Glasgow Times
3 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Jm Jungle surprises King George rivals
A field of 12 sprinters went to post for the five-furlong dash, with John and Sean Quinn's high-class handicapper Jm Jungle a 14-1 shot for what was his first appearance at Group-race level. Smartly away in the hands of Jason Hart, the five-year-old was towards the main group that raced on the far side of the track from the start and showed a willing attitude when the challengers attempted to reel him late on to prevail by a neck. She's Quality filled the runner-up spot for her fourth race in succession, with Commonwealth Cup victor Time For Sandals half a length further behind in third. JM Jungle wins the King George Qatar Stakes 🏆💨 — ITV Racing (@itvracing) August 1, 2025 John Quinn was winning the race for a second time, having saddled Highfield Princess to strike gold two years ago, and his son Sean said: 'We looked at the sprint division, decided it wasn't as strong as usual and that we would throw our hat into the ring. 'We knew he operated on a downhill track like Epsom (won the Dash on Derby day) and that the ground might inconvenience others more than us. 'He probably loves fast ground but he's versatile and is a horse that gives his all, while he's a lot stronger this year. 'In the paddock he was walking round like an old pro. These opportunities don't come around all that often, and when you have a day like this it's massive.' Jm Jungle and Jason Hart lead the way at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA) An appearance closer to home is next on Jm Jungle's agenda, with a tilt at Group One glory in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on August 22 – a race also won by Highfield Princess in 2022 – looming large. 'Jason said early in the season that the race he would love to ride him in would be the Nunthorpe, simply because of how fast they go and how much he likes York,' Quinn added. 'That looks the natural next step because he is a Group Two winner now, so you want to be going up from there, and we put him in the Abbaye earlier in the week and that's a similar race. You get a good draw up the rail and you see how much speed he has – he'd be in that van early doors. 'It was easier watching Highfield Princess because she never looked like getting beat. I was hoping, willing for the line to come in the last furlong today but it did and he toughed it out. The second came to him and I think he went again.'
