Chesham Stakes
 QuinnBet
Listed, Ascot 14:30
£110,000 guaranteed,
2yo only,
7f, Class 1  
Saturday 21st June 2025

1 Humidity 4/1
2 Thesecretadversary 12/1
3 Moments Of Joy 10/3
9 ran Distances: 1l, 1¼l, nse
Time: 1m 27.09s (slow by 1.29s)

Three years after Holloway Boy announced himself with a dazzling debut in the Chesham, lightning struck twice for the family as full-brother Humidity produced a performance of similar substance and no little grit to add his name to Royal Ascot’s roll of honour.

Bought by Wathnan Racing after a taking debut at Newbury, Andrew Balding’s son of Ulysses was sent forward by James Doyle, setting a measured tempo before asking for more with two furlongs to travel.

That injection of pace proved decisive. The challengers loomed—Thesecretadversary in particular—but Humidity, despite signs of inexperience, found again when it mattered. A length was the winning margin, with Moments Of Joystaying on late for third, another length and a quarter adrift.

A delighted Balding said: “He was the one we were pinning most of our hopes on this week, and he’s delivered. He’s got a great temperament and really had to dig deep. He’ll stay further, no doubt, but he’s no slouch. A lovely mover with a great attitude."

He added a word on the sire too: “I’ve always liked Ulysses. He doesn’t always get the credit, but we’ve got a few nice ones by him. Humidity might be the pick—he’s a dude.”

As for future plans? “We’ll take our time, but something in the autumn will be the aim. He covers the ground so well—you wouldn’t rule out a tilt at the Guineas.”

Doyle, who’s fast becoming a familiar figure in the Wathnan colours, had clearly done his homework: “When I first heard about this horse, I messaged Oisin Murphy and asked what he was like. He just replied with a rocket emoji! That got me interested!”

“He’s bred for it—his brother did the same job here—and he’s all quality. I maybe went a touch too steady early, and he needed a few strides to lengthen when the race began in earnest. But once he hit top gear, he was away. A rhythm horse, not a stop-start type. He’ll stay a mile, no doubt.”

Richard Brown of Wathnan Racing praised all involved: “Massive thanks to Mrs Thompson, Cheveley Park Stud and Chris Richardson—they bred this horse, and when we approached them, they were kind enough to sell. That was a big moment for us."

“James gave him a superb front-running ride. Andrew and the team had him bang on. He walked round like a seasoned campaigner—and that matters here. His brother was all class, and this one looks to have inherited plenty.”

Brown also reflected on the broader picture: “You don’t arrive at Royal Ascot confident—it’s the toughest stage of all. But that’s our fourth winner this week, which is hugely satisfying. When we began building the team, I said to Olly Tait that a world-class jockey was key. We were fortunate to get James. He’s riding with real poise and has been a huge asset.”

Behind the winner, there was plenty to like about the second.

Fozzy Stack on Thesecretadversary: “Very straightforward, very likeable. He’s always shown us a bit at home and confirmed that here. He’ll improve again—you can go maiden or Listed route next.”

Seamie Heffernan agreed: “Lovely colt. We’ve got a few by St Mark’s Basilica and they’ve all got a bit about them. This one has the pace of a proper horse.”

RacingBetter

Chesham Stakes
£110,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 7f, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Good to Firm

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (3)    Humidity 2 9-5 Andrew Balding James Doyle 4/1
2 (7) 1 Thesecretadversary 2 9-5 J A Stack Seamie Heffernan 12/1
3 (1) 1¼ Moments Of Joy 2 9-0 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 10/3
4 (9) nse Venetian Lace 2 9-0 Charlie Johnston Billy Loughnane 7/1
5 (5) 6 Treanmor 2 9-5 Charlie Appleby William Buick 5/4F
6 (4) nse Tailgunner Joe 2 9-5 Dylan Cunha Sean Levey 50/1
7 (6) nk Waterford Castle 2 9-5 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 401
8 (2) 1½ Brave Hunter 2 9-5 Ismail Mohammed Silvestre De Sousa 40/1
9 (8) 3 Zooter 2 9-5 Jack Jones Dylan Hogan 66/1

CHESHAM STAKES WINNERS

YEAR WINNER TRAINER JOCKEY OWNER AGE/WGT SP

2024 BEDTIME STORY A P O'Brien Ryan Moore Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor 2 9-00 11/8F
2023 SNELLEN Gavin Cromwell Gary Carroll Lindsay Laroche 2 9-00 12/1
2022 HOLLOWAY BOY Karl Burke Daniel Tudhope Nick White & Elaine Burke 2-9-05 40/1
2021 POINT LONSDALE A P O'Brien Ryan Moore D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, Westerberg 2-9-03 10/11F
2020 BATTLEGROUND Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier 2-9-03 11/4F
2019 PINATUBO Charlie Appleby James Doyle Godolphin 2-9-03 3/1
2018 ARTHUR KITT Tom Dascombe Richard Kingscote Chasemore Farm 2-9-03 13/2
2017 SEPTEMBER Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith 2-8-12 11/8F
2016 CHURCHILL Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier 2-9-03 8/11F
2015 SUITS YOU Eoghan O’Neill FR Cristian Demuro Mrs M O’Neill & A Solomon 2-9-03 14/1
2014 RICHARD PANKHURST John Gosden William Buick Rachel Hood 2-9-03 10/1
2013 BERKSHIRE Paul Cole Jim Crowley HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah 2-9-03 16/1
2012 THA’IR Saeed bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin 2-9-03 9/2
11/18/06 MAYBE Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier 2-8-12 5/2F
10/19/06 ZAIDAN Clive Brittain Seb Sanders Saeed Manana 2-9-03 7/1
09/20/06 BIG AUDIO Richard Hannon snr Richard Hughes Michael Pescod 2-9-03 22/1
08/21/06 FREE AGENT Richard Hannon snr Richard Hughes H M The Queen 2-9-03 7/2JF
07/23/06 MAZE Bryan Smart Royston Ffrench Pinnacle Dr Fong Partnership 2-9-03 11/2
06/24/06 CHAMPLAIN Michael Jarvis Philip Robinson Sheikh Mohammed 2-9-03 7/2
*05/14/06 CHAMPIONSHIP POINT Mick Channon Ted Durcan John Livock Bloodstock Ltd 2-9-00 4/1
04/19/06 WHAZZAT Barry Hills Michael Hills Bill Gredley 2-8-07 7/1
03/18/06 PEARL OF LOVE Mark Johnston Darryll Holland Mick Doyle 2-9-00 11/10F
02/19/06 HELM BANK Mark Johnston Keith Dalgleish Gary & Lesley Middlebrook 2-9-00 25/1
01/20/06 SEBA David Loder Frankie Dettori Sheikh Mohammed 2-8-09 3/1F
00/21/06 CELTIC SILENCE Mark Johnston Kieren Fallon Peter Savill 2-8-12 15/8F
99/17/06 BACH Aidan O’Brien IRE Michael Kinane Satish Sanan and Sue Magnier 2-8-12 5/2
98/18/06 RHAPSODIST John Gosden Frankie Dettori Sheikh Mohammed 2-8-12 6/1
97/19/06 CENTRAL PARK Paul Cole Frankie Dettori Fahd Salman 2-9-00 7/1
96/20/06 SHAMIKH Saeed bin Suroor Richard Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum 2-8-12 8/1
95/22/06 WORLD PREMIER Clive Brittain Brett Doyle Maureen Brittain 2-9-02 6/1
94/16/06 MONTJOY Paul Cole Richard Quinn Sir George Meyrick 2-8-12 5/1
93/17/06 STATE PERFORMER Peter Chapple-Hyam John Reid Robert Sangster 2-9-00 8/13F
92/18/06 HUMAM Tom Jones Richard Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum 2-8-12 2/1F
91/20/06 FAIR COP Paul Cole Alan Munro Fahd Salman 2-8-12 7/2JF
90/21/06 CHICARICA John Gosden Pat Eddery Sheikh Mohammed 2-8-07 10/11F
89/22/06 BE MY CHIEF Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Peter Burrell 2-8-12 2/5F
88/16/06 JACAMAR Ben Hanbury Bruce Raymond Omar Zawawi 2-8-12 50/1
87/18/06 LAPIERRE Clive Brittain Steve Cauthen Mrs J M Khan 2-8-12 9/1
86/19/06 MINSTRELLA Charlie Nelson John Reid Edward P Evans 2-8-08 10/1
85/20/06 BAKHAROFF Guy Harwood Greville Starkey Khalid Abdullah 2-8-11 EvensF
84/21/06 OLD BAILEY Guy Harwood Greville Starkey Mrs C B Thompson 2-8-11 15/8F
83/16/06 HEAD FOR HEIGHTS Richard Hannon snr Greville Starkey John Horgan 2-8-11 11/2
82/17/06 RIGHT DANCER Paul Kelleway Lester Piggott Norman Mandell 2-8-08 6/4F
81/18/06 CAJUN Henry Cecil Lester Piggott James Stone 2-8-11 10/11F
80/19/06 KIRTLING Harry Wragg Pat Eddery Eric Moller 2-8-11 5/1
79/21/06 STAR WAY Paul Kelleway Lester Piggott Mrs L Glaser 2-8-11 9/4F
78/22/06 MAIN REEF Henry Cecil Joe Mercer Jim Joel 2-8-11 8/15F
77/16/06 SOOKERA Dermot Weld IRE Walter Swinburn Robert Sangster 2-8-08 7/2
*run at York