Ballydoyle handler Aidan O’Brien was crowned the QIPCO Royal Ascot Leading Trainer for the ninth time at the Royal Meeting thanks to four winners at this year’s meeting.
Aidan O’Brien (photo: Coolmore)
Newmarket trainer John Gosden also had four winners, but O’Brien had one more second than Gosden, thereby claiming the award on countback.
O’Brien’s winners this week were Kew Gardens [Gr2 Queen’s Vase], Hunting Horn [Gr3 Hampton Court Stakes], Magic Wand [Gr2 Ribblesdale Stakes] and Merchant Navy in Saturday’s feature race, the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
O’Brien now has 65 winners at the Royal Meeting in total.
After being presented with the award, O’Brien said: “We are delighted really. It’s tough, very competitive racing.
“Merchant Navy is a great horse. He was at a big weight disadvantage today but it was great for him to win and we couldn’t be happier really.
“We had plenty of races that we didn’t win, but we were privileged and delighted to win a few.
“It’s competitive racing at Royal Ascot. No matter what race you run a horse in, it is always tough to win and very competitive, but that’s what makes it special.
“Don’t be under any illusions, this is very tough racing.”
Ryan Moore – thrilled
Jockey Ryan Moore was crowned the QIPCO Royal Ascot Top Jockey for the eighth time in nine years, with five victories at the Royal Meeting this week.
Moore struck aboard Kew Gardens [G2 Queen’s Vase], Hunting Horn [G3 Hampton Court Stakes], Magic Wand [G2 Ribblesdale Stakes], Crystal Ocean [G2 Hardwicke Stakes] and Merchant Navy [G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes].
Moore now has 53 winners at the Royal Meeting overall.
Coolmore also claimed the Leading Owner Award following the successes of Kew Gardens [Gr2 Queen’s Vase], Hunting Horn [Gr3 Hampton Court Stakes], Magic Wand [Gr2 Ribblesdale Stakes] and Merchant Navy [Gr1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes].
