21 hours ago
Ryan Moore gives front-running lesson on Aidan O'Brien's Trinity College in Hampton Court at Royal Ascot
Lining up after a fourth in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, the son of Dubawi set even fractions before pouring it on in the straight, ultimately winning by a commanding three and a half lengths.
Runner-up Tornado Alert (9/1) appreciated the drop back in trip after finishing sixth in the G1 Derby. All-weather Listed scorer Glittering Legend (11/1) was a length further back in third.
Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said: 'Ryan gave Trinity College a beautiful ride. He had him in a lovely rhythm and, when he started getting him to move, he really kept going to the line, so you would be very happy with him now.
'Ryan was going to go forward. He does that a lot and is happy to be forward. I didn't ask him but I imagine Trinity College would be happy to get a lead as well. He got it exactly spot on.
'Trinity College would have a lot of options. He could be an Eclipse horse or an American Derby horse. I would say he is improving. We always thought he was a high enough class horse last year as a two-year-old, but things just didn't fall for him. He has probably matured and got stronger now."
O'Brien, who is closing in on 100 Royal Ascot winners, added: 'One day at a time! It is great, and I am delighted for everybody. A lot of hard work goes in to each of those horses.'
Moore said: 'This is the way Trinity College has been ridden most of the time. He likes it that way. The day at Epsom, when we held on to him a little bit, he just hung down the camber. He is out of a very good mare [Hermosa] and we are learning about him.
'He quickened up very well and had the race in safe-keeping at the two – a smart colt. It was a big run in the French Derby and a quick turnaround. His mother sort of came out of nowhere and got better as a three-year-old, and he's a Dubawi – they usually progress."
Co-owner Paul Smith said: 'This is really special. I am delighted for everybody. I think this is Ryan's first winner in my colours. Trinity College ran a super race in the French Derby. He was really strong from the front end there. Ryan got a great possy and quickened off the bend. It was quite an impressive run. He is a progressive horse who seems to like all surfaces. He gets the trip well, so it does open a lot of doors now.'
Saeed bin Suroor said of Tornado Alert: 'He ran well to finish sixth in the Derby, and now second in a nice race here is good. He is improving. We will see how he comes out of this, but we will look for a Group 3 race.'
James Fanshawe said of Glittering Legend: 'He ran really well. He got a bump early on, which just set him alight a bit, but he dropped his head really well and kept on well. Unfortunately, I think he's off to Hong Kong now, but he's done really well. I think it will turn out to be a good race.'
