Newmarket tastes Royal success

Newmarket trainers Charlie Appleby, John Gosden, Saeed Bin Suroor, Michael Bell, David Simcock, James Fanshawe and Richard Spencer all tasted success at this year’s Royal meeting.  A win at Royal Ascot is no easy feat but these trainers ensured that British racing’s HQ was well represented in the famous winners enclosure.

John Gosden’s Stradivarius stayed on the best to win under Andrea Atzeni in the Queen’s Vase, whilst Coronet proved best of his runners in the Group 2 Ribblesdale.  David Simcock took home one of the big handicaps of the week with Bless Him, best of 29 runners in the Brittania. Bless Him was raced on the far side by winning jockey and NOW show jumping competitor Jamie Spencer.  Whist Richard Spencer’s impressive 2 year-old Rajasinghe stole the Coventry Stakes on day one for Rebel Racing.

The boys in blue were in full force during the week.  Charlie Appleby and Saeed Bin Suroor both brought to the meeting an impressive string of horses for Godolphin.  Success was tasted by Sound and Silence, trained by Charlie, in the Windsor Castle on the first day and followed up with Rare Rythem in the Duke of Edinburgh later in the week.  Whist Saeed also delivered another Godolphin winner with Benbatl in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes.  A first winner at Royal Ascot for Benbatl’s winning jockey Oisin Murphy and 6 wins in total for Godolphin at this year’s Royal Ascot.

Two of the week’s outstanding performances came from two of Newmarket’s most popular equine stars – Big Orange and The Tin Man.  Big Orange made all from start to finish to triumph in the Gold Cup, Royal Ascot’s most prestigious race, in front of a rapturous crowd.  Michael Bell’s loveable stayer held on to beat last year’s winner Order of St George by a short head under a superb ride from James Doyle, much to the delight of the whole Bell family.

The Tin Man had already tasted Group 1 glory at Ascot at Champions Day last year and was returning to the course in good form for the highly competitive Diamond Jubilee Stakes. After a thrilling finish a stewards enquiry left the whole course on the edge of their seats, but much to the relief and delight to his owners and trainer, James Fanshawe, the placings remained unchanged and confirmed his horse as the winner.

Many of the trainer’s yards will open during the 2017 32Red Newmarket Open Weekend, giving visitors the unique opportunity to get up and close to these fantastic horses, speak to their trainers and meet all the very hard-working lad and lasses who care for them.  The yards will open on Sunday 17 September only, from 9am to 12:30pm.  A full list of trainers opening is soon to be announced so please keep an eye on our website for updates.  Early bird tickets to the 32Red Newmarket Open Weekend cost £16pp and all Under18 years go FREE.