Royal Ascot

running order/results

royal ascot 2012/

Thomas Chippendale Carves Out Win for Sir Robert Ogden
22/06/12

1 Thomas Chippendale 9/2
2 Noble Mission 4/1
NR: Farhaan (USA), Shantaram
5 ran Distances: ½l, nk, 9l
TIME 2m 35.41s (slow by 5.41s)

Henry Cecil trained a one-two in the King Edward VII Stakes when Thomas Chippendale (Johnny Murtagh), owned by Sir Robert Ogden, beat Noble Mission (Tom Queally).

Thomas Chippendale
© Caroline Norris

The winner, who beat his stablemate by half a length, with Derby fourth Thought Worthy a neck back in third, was bought by Sir Robert for 375,000gns as a yearling. Following today’s race he was given a quote of 14/1 for the Ladbrokes St Leger by that race’s sponsor.

Sir Henry said of the winner: “He looks as if he stays well and he could be a horse for Doncaster. I thought both horses deserved to run and both were going into the race with a chance. The Derby third [Astrology, who finished fourth today] is a good horse but had a hard race at Epsom and was worth taking on.

“It’s nice for Sir Robert to have winner because he puts a lot into racing, and while my two runners were owned by different owners - and I hate one beating the other - they both ran very well.

Noble Mission
© Racehorse Photos

“Time will tell whether Noble Mission is a St Leger horse. He has run a very good race and is an improving horse. They are both improving and the winner is still a big baby - he didn’t winter very well and he was a bad eater, so he wasn’t ready for the Derby. Everything is coming good now and he is on the upgrade.

“Sir Robert wanted a top jockey and as Johnny Murtagh was available we asked him to take the ride. I’m delighted he rode the horse so well. Tom said his horse was just run out of it by the winner, but I think they will both improve.

“I’m looking forward to Thomas Chippendale staying in training as a four-year-old. I need some good four-year-olds and I think it’s good for the breed to race at four when they are more mature. They have such an advantage against three-year-olds up to races like the King George.”

Of his most famous four-year-old, Frankel, he said: “It’s known he lost a shoe when winning the Queen Anne [on Tuesday] and he was led out yesterday for a pick of grass and is fine. We’ll feel our way with him, but I think it’s more likely he will go to Goodwood [for the Sussex Stakes] and then York [for the Juddmonte International] which is so important to him. We’re all looking forward to him running over ten furlongs, and the way he gets a mile at Ascot suggests he will get further.”

When asked about Black Caviar’s appearance at Royal Ascot tomorrow Sir Henry said: “Unfortunately I won’t be here - Jane’s [his wife] daughter is getting married and I’m giving her away, but I will record the race. It would be lovely if she could win - it’s very sporting to bring her over here.”

Jockey Johnny Murtagh feels there could still be better to come from Thomas Chippendale after the three-year-old landed the King Edward VII Stakes.

“He is bit of a baby and he is still learning,” said Murtagh. “He is only going to get better from today. It’s an honour to ride a winner for Sir Henry Cecil. He is a wonderful trainer and to ride a Royal Ascot winner for him is great.

“I think the last time I rode for him was when Jacqueline Quest refused to come out of the stalls here so it wasn’t a great start! He did say he’d have a better one for me so he kept his word.

“Noble Mission came there to challenge, but my lad Thomas Chippendale was just getting himself organised as he is still a little bit green. When I put my stick down and changed my hands he accelerated again and was going away at the line. When we quickened about four out there was quite a head wind.”

Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, added: “He has been backward and needed time. I think he stripped fitter today than he did when winning at Newmarket last time and he looks a nice staying type.

“He’s in the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket and Sir Robert would love to have a winner at York so he could go for the Great Voltigeur Stakes. The Ladbrokes St Leger would have to be a possible target.”

King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
£150,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 4f, Class 1
5 runners (NR 2 & 5)
Going: Soft

Thought Worthy
© Racehorse Photos

LIKE BROTHER, LIKE BROTHER

Thought Worthy emulated his brother Lucarno by finishing fourth in the Derby and today in the money in the King Edward VII Stakes, and will now try to follow his hoofprints to victory in the St Leger at Doncaster.

Though Lucarno finished a length second in the Ascot race, third-placed Thought Worthy actually finished slightly closer to the winner, beaten half a length and a neck by Thomas Chippendale and Noble Mission.

“He’s run great, just got done for that bit of toe towards the end today,” said trainer John Gosden. “He looks as if he needs a mile and three quarters already and we’ll now point him to the St Leger, with one race in between. He’s done great for us so far, and we’ll see if we can meet Mr Camelot again, though we might be in trouble there.”

Thought Worthy turned the tables on Aidan O’Brien-trained Astrology, third at Epsom and fourth today. “He’s run well,” said O’Brien, “but maybe it came a bit quick after Epsom. Maybe the Derby took a bit more out of him than the trainer knew.”