3 minute read
Apprentice jockey Marco Ghiani showed there is more than one Italian who can succeed at Royal Ascot when riding his first winner at the meeting on 18/1 shot Real World in the Royal Hunt Cup.
Riding for Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor – as his fellow countryman Frankie Dettori did successfully for many years – Ghiani stalked the pace in the far-side group during the early stages of the ultra-competitive handicap, before powering clear for an impressive four and three-quarter length success.
Minor honours went to Astro King (11/2 fav), Grove Ferry (12/1) and Ouzo (33/1), who all emerged from the stands' side group to chase home the impressive winner.
This was a 37th Royal Ascot winner for bin Suroor, who said: "Real World is a good horse.
"This year he has been showing that he is a nice horse and he has just come right. Two days ago, I said to Marco Ghiani to ride the horse and that, to be famous and for the world to watch you, you have to win this race at Royal Ascot and so I am very happy for him.
"This was Real World 's first run on turf and even with the fast ground, he handled it well. Real World is a horse with Group class. I think there is a Listed race that we could target.
"Every race is big at Royal Ascot, even the handicaps, so it is great to have a winner."
When asked whether he feels he can get his stable back to the level it was on the occasions of winning his multiple Champion Trainer titles, he added: "If you've got the right horses, sure, you will get the best winners.
"Our stable has had 194 Group One winners worldwide. We have the best work riders, the best team, they've all been working very hard and the boss is supporting us all the time. We are looking to the future very positively."
Ghiani said of his first Royal Ascot success: "It feels amazing. I was drawn four and everything was coming from the stands' side.
"I walked the track; it was nearly a hand softer in the middle, but on the sides it was pretty similar, so I was hoping they would just stay on the rail and not race in the middle, and that plan went very well.
"I just tried to track William Buick and he gave me a beautiful lead. My horse was travelling really nicely; at halfway he was on the bridle and I thought we'd have a chance, but I didn't know he'd win that easily. He quickened away and just in the last furlong was looking at the crowd.
"I think he is an improving horse. He feels a bit of a baby, even as a four-year-old, but there is plenty more to come I reckon.
"I want to say thank you to [his boss] Stuart Williams and Mr bin Suroor, and Sheikh Mohammed as well."
