What Have We Learned From This Year’s Royal Ascot?

This year’s Royal Ascot was one of the most compelling festivals that we have seen in many years. 

For the first time since COVID-19 measures were lifted, it was once again an international affair, with horses traveling from the USA, Australia, Germany, and France to compete against the British and Irish-trained runners. The prize pool was enticing, to say the least, $10.5m, nearly £8.55!

So, what were some of the biggest stories from Royal Ascot in 2022?

Baaeed Shows Why He Is a Top-Rated Horse In Training

We didn’t have to wait long to see the best horse in the world in action at Royal Ascot this year, as William Haggas-trained Baaeed was in action in the first race on an opening day. If you box bet in horse racing you are probably familiar with this name.

He was an extremely short favourite for the G1 Queen Anne Stakes, and he dominated just as his price suggested that he would. The four-year-old didn’t even break a sweat over the mile, as he finished just under two lengths clear of Real World to claim an eighth straight victory and a fourth Group 1 success. However, bigger tests will likely lie ahead.

Australian Delight, Americans Disappoint

The feature on an opening day came in the form of the G1 King’s Stand Stakes, which pitted the fastest horse in the world, Nature Strip against the Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Golden Pal. However, it would be a famous day for Australia, with Nature Strip dominating the field for Chris Waller. The seven-year-old finished over four lengths clear of Twilight Calls to take his career earnings past £10 million.

However, it was a disappointment for Golden Pal and American trainer Wesley Ward, who had been supremely confident before the race. The four-year-old started slowly after an error in the gates from Irad Ortiz, and he eventually finished last and 20 lengths off the winner. Despite a host of runners, an American-trained horse failed to win a single race at Royal Ascot this year.

No History For Stradivarius

The big race of the week took place on Thursday, as the G1 Ascot Gold Cup saw Stradivarius looking to join the great Yeats and win the illustrious race for a fourth time. However, jockey Frankie Dettori came in for criticism after the race, as many believed that the three-time winner was ridden too passively and he was boxed in on the rail in the middle of the pack. He was able to get up and finish third, but he was still a length behind Aidan O’Brien-trained Kyprios. The winner is already listed as the clear ante-post favourite to defend the Gold Cup in 12 months time. 

No Royal Winner

The Queen wasn’t in attendance at Royal Ascot at all this year, but she had more than enough opportunities to get a winner. Her Majesty’s best chances came on Gold Cup Day, and how the racegoers in attendance would have loved to celebrate a royal winner to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

The closest that the Queen would come would be in the Britannia Stakes, as Saga finished just a head behind Thesis. However, the day would ultimately end in disappointment, as 2/5 favourite Reach For The Moon was beaten by just under two lengths in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes. 

Inspiral Dazzles In Coronation Stakes

The performance of the week at Royal Ascot came in the G1 Coronation Stakes on Friday, as John & Thady Gosden-trained Inspiral returned to the track for the first time since October with a dazzling display. The three-year-old finished just under five lengths clear of American-trained Spendarella, and she now looks like the leading filly in training on the turf. Gosden claimed afterwards that she could now step up in trip, which could lead to some mouth-watering clashes over the summer months.