Diamond Jubilee Stakes
 QuinnBet
Group 1, Ascot 16:20
£600,000 added,
3yo plus,
6f, Class 1    
Saturday 23rd June 2018

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1 Merchant Navy 4/1
2 City Light 12/1
3 Bound For Nowhere 16/1
12 ran Distances: shd, ¾l, nk
Time: 1m 12.09s (fast by 0.31s)

Merchant Navy wins the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in a photo!

Merchant Navy
© Caroline Norris
Merchant Navy
 
Merchant Navy, trained by Aidan O'Brien, won by a short-head from the French-trained City Light.
 
Merchant Navy is an Australian-bred son of Fastnet Rock, a three-year-old in the southern hemisphere and a four-year-old here. The horse's last run in Australia came in March. His first northern hemisphere run was in the G3 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh in May.
 
Aidan O'Brien, registering his fourth winner at Royal Ascot 2018, said: "Merchant Navy made lovely progress from the Curragh to here, but we thought that it was an impossible task for him. 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."
 
Of the horse travelling from Australia to Ireland, O'Brien said: "I spoke to Ciaron [Ciaron Maher, former trainer] and he told us everything about him. Andrew was very happy with him once he came over, as was Davy who looks after him and Derrick who rides him.
 
"When he ran at the Curragh, his coat didn't know whether he was going into the winter or coming into the summer. So he had a lot of readjusting to do. Some horses adjust and they have that healthy constitution and some don't - he obviously has. He has a great mind - he sleeps, eats and is a very straightforward horse.
 
"We were always told that he was only here for Royal Ascot because he has stallion commitments in Australia. That's why we were so anxious to get a run into him at the Curragh, because we knew that we might not have him after Ascot. We will have to see what happens now, but that was the plan as far as I was told. The plan might change.

"It has been a great week - we had some winners and some horses that didn't win. The horses ran well but, for some reason, they were maybe three weeks off. They weren't blowing much, they were very healthy but just the little edge wasn't there with some of them. Just sometimes it can happen, it wasn't fitness. They are at a stage now that three weeks or a month we'll be happy.
 
"We haven't been on grass and that might have something to do with it - it was too heavy and then it got too hard, I was afraid to change them off the all-weathers on to the grass because I wanted to keep them safe and sound and with us. 
 
"But it's the most competitive racing in the world and a privilege to be here. We're so grateful to have the winners, but we were 'there' really without quite being 'there'. 
 
Ciaron Maher, the Australian-based former trainer of Merchant Navy, when asked of his thoughts concerning missing out on training the horse to win himself, said: "It's great for the horse and for the owners and they sold him for a fairly healthy sum to Coolmore who always had a share - you can't have your cake and eat it.
 
"He's come through our system and was an unbeaten two-year-old and a G1-winning three-year-old and now he has come and done it up here as well. He's obviously going to have a good time at stud and be very busy in both hemispheres.
 
"I have never been to Royal Ascot, but I thought a testing six furlongs would be perfect for him - and he can run seven, he proved that as a two-year-old. He's got an unbelievable set of lungs, a testing 1200 would be ideal for him. 
 
"He's still developing, he was a later foal, he'd be better again next year - but he'll be off to stud by then!"
 
When asked if he had thought Merchant Navy could reverse Australian form with Redkirk Warrior, Maher added: "Redkirk Warrior's was not going to keep on improving, this horse is still improving, we were hopeful."

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Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
(British Champions Series & Global Sprint Challenge)
£600,000 added, 3yo plus, 6f, Class 1
12 ran
Going: Good to Firm

Pos Dr D Horse SP Jockey Weight Trainer Age
1st (11) Merchant Navy (AUS) 4/1 R L Moore
9-3		 A P O'Brien 4
2nd (8) s.h City Light (FR) 12/1 C Soumillon
9-3		 S Wattel 4
3rd (1) ¾ Bound For Nowhere (USA) 16/1 Joel Rosario
9-3		 Wesley Ward 4
4th (10) nk The Tin Man 5/1 T P Queally
9-3		 J R Fanshawe 6
5th (7) 1 Projection 25/1 Kieran Shoemark
9-3		 R Charlton 5
6th (4) 3 D'Bai (IRE) 20/1 W Buick
9-3		 C Appleby 4
7th (12) nse Sir Dancealot (IRE) 33/1 S M Levey
9-3		 D R C Elsworth 4
8th (9) 3 Spirit of Valor (USA) 20/1 D O'Brien
9-3		 A P O'Brien 4
9th (3) 2½ Librisa Breeze 10/1 R Winston
9-3		 D K Ivory 6
10th (2) 2 Redkirk Warrior 4/1 L Dettori
9-3		 David & B Dabernig 7
11th (5) 10 Harry Angel (IRE) 5/2f A Kirby
9-3		 C G Cox 4
12th (6) 7 Intelligence Cross (USA) 66/1 J A Heffernan
9-3		 A P O'Brien 4

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THE DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES
Past Results

2017-WINNER-THE TIN MAN 5-9-03 Owner-Fred Archer Racing – Ormonde; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Tom Queally; SP-
9/2
2ND-Tasleet 4-9-03 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-William Haggas; Jockey-Jim Crowley; SP-7/1
3RD-Limato 5-9-03 Owner-Paul Jacobs; Trainer-Henry Candy; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-2/1 Fav
19 ran; Time-1m 12.02s; Dist-nk, ¾

2016-WINNER-TWILIGHT SON 4-9-03 Owner-Godfrey Wilson & Cheveley Park Stud; Trainer-Henry Candy; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-7/2
2ND-Gold-Fun 7-9-03 Owner-Sutong Pan; Trainer-Richard Gibson HK; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-7/1
3RD-Signs Of Blessing 5-9-03; Owner-I Corbani/Pandora Racing/A Mouknass; Trainer-Francois Rohaut FR; Jockey-Olivier Peslier; SP- 25/1
9 ran; Time-1m 13.44s; Dist-nk, sh 3/1 Fav Magical Memory (4th)

2015-WINNER-UNDRAFTED 5-9-03 Owner-Wes Welker & Sol Kumin; Trainer-Wesley Ward USA; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP- 14/1
2ND-Brazen Beau 3-9-03 Owner-On Track Racing; Trainer-Chris Waller AUS; Jockey-Craig Williams; SP-7/2 Jt Fav
3RD-Astaire 4-9-03 Owner-Angie Bailey; Trainer-Kevin Ryan; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-25/1
15 ran; Time-1m 12.69s; Dist-1⁄2, 13⁄4 7/2 Jt Fav Mustajeeb (5th)

2014-WINNER-SLADE POWER 5-9-04 Owner-Sabena Power; Trainer-Edward Lynam IRE; Jockey-Wayne Lordan; SP-7/2F
2ND-Due Diligence 3-8-11 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magner; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-5/1
3RD-Aljamaaheer 5-9-04 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-Roger Varian; Jockey-Paul Hanagan; SP-4/1
14 ran; Time-1m 12.40s; Dist-1½; hd

2013-WINNER-LETHAL FORCE 4-9-04 Owner-Alan Craddock; Trainer-Clive Cox; Jockey-Adam Kirby; SP-11/1
2ND-Society Rock 6-9-04 Owner-Simon Gibson; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-4/1 Fav
3RD-Krypton Factor 5-9-04 Owner-Fawzi Abdulla Nass; Trainer-Fawzi Nass BAH; Jockey-Luke Morris; SP-25/1
18 ran; Time-1m 13.36s; Dist-2, 1¾

2012-WINNER-BLACK CAVIAR 6-9-01 Owner-G J Wilkie, Mrs K J Wilkie et al; Trainer-Peter Moody AUS; Jockey-Luke Nolen; SP-1/6
Fav
2ND-Moonlight Cloud 4-9-01 Owner-George Strawbridge; Trainer-Freddy Head FR; Jockey-Thierry Jarnet; SP-5/1
3RD-Restiadargent 3-8-08 Owner-Guy Pariente; Trainer-Alex Pantall FR; Jockey-Maxime Guyon; SP-40/1
14 ran; Time-1m 14.10s; Dist-hd, nk

2011-WINNER-SOCIETY ROCK 4-9-04 Owner-Simon Gibson; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Pat Cosgrave; SP-25/1
2ND-Monsieur Chevalier 4-9-04 Owner-Valerie Hubbard & Ian Higginson; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-25/1
3RD-Star Witness 4-9-04 Owner-Widden Stud; Trainer-Danny O’Brien AUS; Jockey-Steven Arnold; SP-4/1
16 ran; Time-1m 17.22s; Dist-½, 1¼ 3/1 Fav Bewitched (14th)

2010-WINNER-STARSPANGLEDBANNER 4-9-04 Owner-Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/Sue Magnier/Ms Massey; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-13/2 Jt Fav
2ND Society Rock 3-8-11 Owner-Simon Gibson; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Pat Cosgrave; SP-50/1
3RD Kinsale King 5-9-04 Owner-Sheehy LLC; Trainer-Carl O’Callaghan USA; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-8/1
24 ran; Time-1m 12.57s; Dist-1¾, hd 13/2 Jt Fav Fleeting Spirit (4th)

2009-WINNER-ART CONNOISSEUR 3-8-11 Owner-Richard Green; Trainer-Michael Bell; Jockey-Tom Queally; SP-20/1
2ND-Cannonball 4-9-04 Owner-Ken & Sarah Ramsey; Trainer-Wesley Ward USA; Jockey-Olivier Peslier; SP-11/1
3RD-Lesson In Humility 4-9-01 Owner-Michael Nelmes-Crocker; Trainer-Karl Burke; Jockey-Andrew Elliott; SP-33/1
14 ran; Time-1m 14.90s; Dist-nk, 2½ 5/2 Fav J J The Jet Plane (4th)

2008-WINNER-KINGSGATE NATIVE 3-8-11 Owner-John Mayne; Trainer-John Best; Jockey-Seb Sanders; SP-33/1
2ND-War Artist 5-9-04 Owner-Vintage Thoroughbreds; Trainer-James Eustace; Jockey-Kerrin McEvoy; SP-8/1
3RD-Sir Gerry 3-8-11 Owner-Mrs Gerry Galligan; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-20/1
17 ran, Time-1m 13.33s, Dist-1¼, ¾ 4/1 Fav Takeover Target (4th)

2007-WINNER-SOLDIER’S TALE 6-9-04 Owner-Budget Stable; Trainer-Jeremy Noseda; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-9/1
2ND-Takeover Target 8-9-04 Owner-Joe & Ben Janiak; Trainer-Joe Janiak AUS; Jockey-Jay Ford; SP-8/1
3RD-Asset 4-9-04 Owner-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing XXVI; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-14/1
21 ran, Time-1m 14.51s, Dist-hd, ½ 2/1 Fav Miss Andretti (15th)

2006-WINNER-LES ARCS 6-9-04 Owner-Willie McKay; Trainer-Tim Pitt; Jockey-John Egan; SP-33/1
2ND-Balthazaar’s Gift 3-8-11 Owner-Ryder Racing Ltd; Trainer-Kevin Ryan; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-50/1
3RD-Takeover Target 7-9-04 Owner-Joe & Ben Janiak; Trainer-Joe Janiak AUS; Jockey-Jay Ford; SP-7/2 Fav
18 ran, Time-1m 13.12s, Dist-nk, 2

2005-WINNER-CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 7-9-04 Owner-Exors of the late R Carstairs; Trainer-David Oughton HK;
Jockey-Michael Kinane; SP-6/1
2ND-Galeota 3-8-11 Owner-John Lazzari; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-15/2
3RD-Balmont 4-9-04 Owner-Sanford Robertson & Hatta Bloodstock; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-9/2 Fav
15 ran, Time-1m 8.58s Dist-hd, 1½ (run at York)

2004-WINNER-FAYR JAG 5-9-04 Owner-Jonathan Gill; Trainer-Tim Easterby; Jockey-Willie Supple; SP-12/1
2ND-Crystal Castle 6-9-04 Owner-J Raw; Trainer-John Hammond FR; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-8/1
3RD-Cape Of Good Hope 6-9-04 Owner-Exors of the late R Carstairs; Trainer-David Oughton HK; Jockey-Michael Kinane; SP-13/2
14 ran, Time-1m 13.35s Dist-hd, hd 100/30 Fav Avonbridge (5th)

2003-WINNER-CHOISIR 4-9-04 Owner-Terry Wallace and Partners; Trainer-Paul Perry AUS; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-13/2
2ND-Airwave 3-8-08 Owner-Henry Candy and Partners; Trainer-Henry Candy; Jockey-Dane O’Neill; SP-11/8 Fav
3RD-Baron’s Pit 3-8-11 Owner-Jeff and Kath Thomas; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-50/1
17 ran, Time-1m 12.23s Dist-½, 1

2002-WINNER-MALHUB 4-9-04 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Kevin Darley; SP-16/1
2ND-Danehurst 4-9-01 Owner-Cheveley Park Stud; Trainer-Sir Mark Prescott; Jockey-Seb Sanders; SP-13/2
3RD-Three Points 5-9-04 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-4/1
12 ran, Time-1m 14.34s, Dist- 1½, ½ 3/1 Fav Johannesburg (9th)

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