3 minute read

Arizona's success in the £150,000 G2 Coventry Stakes over six furlongs was trainer Aidan O'Brien's 66th Royal Ascot winner.

The No Nay Never  juvenile scored by half a length from Threat  under Ryan Moore. He was the 15/8 favourite.

O'Brien said: "I'm delighted with him and Ryan gave him a great ride. He was very green first time out, and then won very easily next time, but probably didn't learn a lot because of that, so this is the first day that he has had to learn. He was a little bit slow away and a little bit lost through the race, but came home really well. 

"Obviously, he has loads of speed, or he wouldn't be able to win like that, but we always thought he would be a horse who would have no problem getting seven furlongs. He could sharpen up a lot from that, but even if he does, seven furlongs should be fine. He's a fine, big horse and we'll look forward to next year.

"You'd imagine he will be a miler next year. He's probably quicker than he lets on, because he's still a baby, but you'd always think he'd have no problem getting seven. After he won at the Curragh, if he was eligible for the Chesham Stakes [over seven furlongs] we'd have had no problem running him in it. Often that type of horse can get quicker when they learn; he was very babyish today and still came home so well."

It did not take Ryan Moore long to ride his first winner at this year's Royal Ascot, his initial success coming in the second race on day one.

Moore, who has been QIPCO Royal Ascot Top Jockey in each of the past five years, and nine in total, said: "Arizona  has impressed me on all his starts. I think he is a high-class colt. 

"He has a super attitude, but is not fully switched on yet and will probably benefit when he steps up in trip.

"He has come out of a maiden, so this was a different tempo, and you would have to be pleased with what he has done today."