The Andrew Balding-trained Dashing Willoughby’s victory in the £225,000 Gr2 Queen’s Vase on Wednesday was the trainer’s fourth at Royal Ascot – and his first for five years.
Dashing Willoughby, a son of Nathaniel, showed grit and determination to see off the Aidan O’Brien-trained Barbados by half a length under Oisin Murphy.
Aidan O’Brien said of the runner-up: “He’s by Galileo and he always looked like he would stay, so we have to be delighted with his effort. It was a great run by a three-year-old in that ground so early in the season.”
The winner was well-backed and was seen as high as 14/1 in the morning, but was sent off at 6/1.
Balding said: “He loves the ground, he stays well and he’s pretty classy.
“He had a little hiccup on Saturday morning – he was very lame. He had a blood blister in his foot and our farrier Eugene Cullen and head lad Kevin Hunt worked through the night and, happily, he was right 24 hours later.
Owner Mick Mariscoti said: “This is indescribable. I wasn’t there on Derby day when we had our 50th winner – I was on a plane to Madrid to watch Spurs – but I am delighted to be here today.
“The joy of days like today makes up for 100 days when it is not quite as good. This our first Group winner and our first Royal Ascot winner.
Dashing Willoughby is a 16/1 chance with Betfred, Ascot’s official bookmaker, for the St Leger in September.
