In a championing effort on the foremost day of Britain’s most recognised racing event, Irish trainer Willie Mullins emerged victorious at Royal Ascot with his horse, Belloccio. Piloted by William Buick, the 4-1 contender outperformed in the Copper Horse Handicap, a race his fellow stablemate, Vauban, had triumphed over impressively the previous year. Vauban is expected to join the lineup for the coveted Gold Cup on the coming Thursday.
This win elevated Mullins’s count at Royal Ascot to a total of 10, exemplifying his prowess in the lucrative stamina tests at the event and making him an object of envy among flat racing specialists. Despite rival horse, Lmay, who held a 40-1 shot, presenting a challenge in the final stages, Buick navigated successfully to steal the win. My Mate Mozzie, trained by Gavin Cromwell, concluded the race in third place.
Since his initial success dodge at the Punchestown hurdle last month, Belloccio has been consistent in demonstrating superior stamina in his two starts for trainer Mullins. Irrespective of an unsteady start, jockey Buick’s prudent handling of the horse culminated in an ensuing win, Mullins confirmed.
Events transpired favourably for the Irish contingent at Ascot, as prior to Mullins’s win, the only Irish horse to register any success was Henry Longfellow coached by Aidan O’Brien. Last month’s winner at Curragh 2,000 Guineas, Rosallion, bested Henry Longfellow in the final stretch. Another notable performer was Richard Hannon’s charge, prevailing amidst the competition thrown down by the trio of victors from last month’s major European Guineas.
Sean Levey, the jockey aboard Richard Hannon’s star, squeezed out a victory by a narrow margin over Henry Longfellow. The Newmarket winner from the Godolphin stables, Notable Speech, who was proclaimed 6-4 favourite, only managed to surpass one horse.
Jockey Levey expressed his confidence that once he could guide his horse out into open space, overtaking the leader wasn’t challenging. He further observed the horse’s requirement of having a target to successfully execute, as evidenced in his race at the Curragh. He assured there was plenty of spirit left in the horse once he was let loose.
“I ardently wish to see them gallop at full speed one day, allowing him to exhibit his true capabilities. Currently, it’s his adaptability that’s taking centre stage,” Hannon remarked, having managed a ninth win at the Royal Ascot. This is still one short of Mullins’ record. Hannon identified Rosallion as one of the finest talents his renowned stables have ever nurtured, hinting at a possible grace at the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
Henry Longfellow might also consider this, following a significant improvement from a previously lacklustre performance in the French Guineas. O’Brien stated, “We believe he has more to offer. His performance in France wasn’t stellar, so this was his primary competitive race this year. The race in France can be disregarded; it’s akin to a maiden run for him. He’s comfortable at a mile, though he could endure more. The result took Ryan [Moore] by surprise. He believed he was overtaken at the line because he was sprinting towards it.”
On Tuesday, the Australian sprinter Asfoora triumphed in the King Charles III Stakes, previously called the King’s Stand, with Oisín Murphy as the jockey. This mare marks the sixth Australian horse to clinch the race, providing trainer Henry Dwyer with his inaugural win at the Royal Ascot on his premier attempt.
Meanwhile, Billy Loughnane, an emerging talent in cross-channel jockey world, celebrated his debut Royal Ascot win as Rashabar, listed at 80-1, clinched the Coventry by a whisker. High expectations were piled on Ballydoyle’s Camille Pissarro who was a 4-1 favourite, but disappointingly, he finished in 11th place.