Hampton Court Stakes
QuinnBet
Group 3, Ascot 15:05
£75,000 added,
3yo only,
1m 1f 212y, Class 1   
Thursday 17th June 2021

Quinnbet

1 Mohaafeth 11/8F
2 Roman Empire 14/1
3 Secret Protector 11/1
9 ran NR: Pythagoras
Distances: 1¾l, hd, 2¼l Time: 2m 5.72s (slow by 0.32s)

Mohaafeth gained compensation for missing the Cazoo Derby at the eleventh hour when winning the G3 Hampton Court Stakes.
 
Rain-softened ground spoiled trainer William Haggas’ plans at Epsom, however the forecast overnight rain came to little here and Mohaafeth was allowed to take his chance. 
 
The favourite was ridden with confidence throughout the 10-furlong contest. He was steered wide into the straight by Jim Crowley, before powering clear for a length and three-quarter success over Roman Empire, who was slightly impeded when the winner edged right inside the final furlong. Secret Protector finished well for third, a further head behind.
 
Crowley was registering a 13th success at Royal Ascot while Haggas was scoring for the 11th time at the meeting. This was also a first Royal Ascot success for Shadwell Estate following the passing of Hamdan Al Maktoum earlier this year.
 
Haggas said while waiting for the stewards’ enquiry: “I don’t like the stewards’ enquiry. I have been on the wrong end of a few of those in my time and not got the race, so we will see and hope for the best.
 
“Mohaafeth definitely crossed the second, but I think he had a bit in hand. I think he won quite nicely.
 
“He is a pretty decent horse. His work has always been nice, and he loves quick ground, so I am delighted to win.
 
“I never thought it was the wrong decision [to miss Epsom], but obviously I was pleased when Jim came in and said it was absolutely the right decision not to run in the Derby. I think he showed he wasn't actually powering away today, so maybe that's his trip or even shorter, never mind longer.

Trainers Quotes

“Jim said ‘I think this is his trip’. So, we will stick to a mile and a quarter, and I guess if ever we go one way, it might be shorter.
 
“Mohaafeth has not tackled an older horse yet, he has a lot to prove, but I think he has got some talent. I don't make comparisons with any others, but he is a useful horse, is bred to be a nice horse and I thought he looked great today. He doesn't look a stayer physically.
 
“He is in lots of things, including the Eclipse. It just can't be soft or good to soft, he is a real quick ground horse."
 
He added: “Sheikh Hamdan was great to all of us. He was a charming man and a huge supporter of British racing in particular. So to win here for his family, who hopefully now will take up the mantle and set Shadwell on its way - this is a great start and I hope for many, many more. I'm delighted because these colours have been very good to us for a long time.”
 
Crowley said: “We have always liked Mohaafeth. 
 
“It was a funny race – they went flat out down to the bend and there was a lot of bouncing around in front of me going on. 
 
“I ended up getting there way too soon on him, and he just sort of lugged into the rail, but he wasn't doing a stroke in front.
 
“I think it was the right decision not to go to Epsom. On the day I was gutted, but I think long term it proved the right thing to do.”

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Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)
(Formerly The Tercentenary Stakes)
£75,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 1f 212y, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Good to Firm

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (3)     Mohaafeth 3 9-0 William Haggas Jim Crowley 11/8F
2 (2)
Roman Empire 3 9-0 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 14/1
3 (10)
hd Secret Protector 3 9-0 Charlie Appleby James Doyle 11/1
4 (6)
Snapraeterea 3 9-0 Joseph O'Brien Frankie Dettori 14/1
5 (8)
¾ Movin Time 3 9-0 Roger Varian Andrea Atzeni 9/2
6 (7)
hd The Rosstafarian 3 9-0 Hugo Palmer Oisin Murphy 12/1
7 (1) nk One Ruler 3 9-4 Charlie Appleby William Buick 9/2
8 (4)
10 Matchless 3 9-0 A P O'Brien Seamie Heffernan 40/1
9 (5)
Notre Belle Bete 3 9-0 D J Bunyan Silvestre De Sousa 40/1
NR 6 (9) 131-46 Pythagoras 3 9-0 Richard Fahey NON RUNNER

Tebwin

HAMPTON COURT STAKES WINNERS

YR/DATE GR WINNER TRAINER JOCKEY OWNER AGE/WGT SP

2020 3 RUSSIAN EMPEROR Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Laurie Macri, Sue Magnier et al 3-9-00 100/30
2019 3 SANGARIUS Sir Michael Stoute Frankie Dettori Khalid Abdullah 3-9-00 13/2
2018 3 HUNTING HORN Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith 3-9-00 5/1
2017 3 BENBATL Saeed bin Suroor Oisin Murphy Godolphin 3-9-00 9/2
2016 3 HAWKBILL Charlie Appleby William Buick Godolphin 3-9-00 11/2
2015 3 TIME TEST Roger Charlton Frankie Dettori Khalid Abdullah 3-9-00 15/8F
2014 3 CANNOCK CHASE Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore Saeed Suhail 3-9-00 7/4F
2013 3 REMOTE John Gosden William Buick Khalid Abdullah 3-9-00 9/4F
2012 3 ENERGIZER Jens Hirschberger GER Adrie de Vries Gestut Schlenderhan 3-9-00 15/2
201 3 PISCO SOUR Hughie Morrison Jimmy Fortune Michael Kerr-Dineen 3-9-00 20/1
2010 L AFSARE Luca Cumani Kieren Fallon Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum 3-9-05 9/4F
2009 L GLASS HARMONIUM Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore Ballymacoll Stud 3-9-02 8/1
2008 L COLLECTION William Haggas Kerrin McEvoy Highclere Thoroughbred Racing 3-9-02 13/2
2007 L ZAHAM Mark Johnston Richard Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum 3-9-02 7/2F
2006 L SNOQUALMIE BOY David Elsworth John Egan Jeff Smith 3-8-11 33/1
*2005 L INDIGO CAT Aidan O’Brien IRE Kieren Fallon Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor 3-8-11 3/1F
2004 L MOSCOW BALLET Aidan O’Brien IRE Jamie Spencer Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier 3-8-11 8/1
2003 L PERSIAN MAJESTY Peter Harris Johnny Murtagh Dr Jamal Ahmadzadeh 3-8-11 8/1
2002 L BURNING SUN Henry Cecil Richard Quinn Khalid Abdullah 3-8-11 14/1
*run at York