Aidan O’Brien claimed he was ‘over the moon’ as Australian-born sprinter Merchant Navy came out a narrow winner of the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes, the feature race on the final day of Royal Ascot.
Formerly a top level winner in his native country, the three-year-old stepped up from an encouraging stable debut win at the Curragh, to succeed French raider City Light in a tight photo finish.
Favourite Harry Angel chances were ruined at the start of the six furlong race, as the Godolphin sprinter’s back leg was trapped in the stalls as the gates opened, as his rivals sprinted on ahead.
Merchant Navy’s victory gave trainer Aidan O’Brien the prize of top trainer at the meeting, the ninth time he has achieved the accolade in flat racing’s pinnacle meeting.
“Merchant Navy made lovely progress from the Curragh to here, but we thought that it was an impossible task for him,” said the Ballydoyle maestro.
“We knew that he was meeting the field 12 pound wrong than he was in Australia and it was a big worry for him. He was only a three-year-old being treated as a four-year-old.
"Merchant Navy was travelling very well and we knew looking at him that Ryan was very happy. I think he was hoping he would not have to get there too early on him. He got a little bit of a bump and Ryan said it took a bit of time to rebalance. We are over the moon with him."
Before riding his first Group One prize at the meeting this season, Ryan Moore celebrated success aboard the strongly-fancied Crystal Ocean in the Hardwicke Stakes.
Sir Michael Stoute’s middle-distancer was an odds-on shot having registered comfortable Group Three wins at Sandown and Newbury, and forged clear for an impressive two-and-a-half length victory in the Group Two contest.
Rising young trainer Archie Watson landed a landmark first Royal Ascot winner as Soldier’s Call landed the prestigious Windsor Castle Stakes, meanwhile Bacchus won the Wokingham handicap ahead of the well-gambled Dreamfield.
Tom Dascombe saddled his first winner of the meeting with Arthur Kitt in the Chesham Stakes, whilst veteran stayer Pallasator claimed the Queen Alexandra Stakes.
