3 minute read
As racing gets under way for the opening day of Royal Ascot 2019, there are several landmarks for high profile participants.
John Gosden is three winners away from 50 victories at Royal Ascot.
Eve Johnson-Houghton is the only woman to train the winner of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes. She bids to do so again today with Accidental Agent, who got her on the scoreboard in this contest 12 months ago.
Accidental Agent bids to become the first horse since Dean Swift (1906 & 1907) to win multiple renewals of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes.
Olmedo would become the seventh winner of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes trained in France - the most recent was Solow in 2015.
There have been two winners of the Queen Anne Stakes aged six or older since 1946. Lord Glitters and Stormy Antarctic are two six-year-olds running today.
Aidan O'Brien is the most successful trainer in the history of the G2 Coventry Stakes with eight winners. The master of Ballydoyle has four runners in today's renewal of the six-furlong contest - Arizona, Fort Myers, King Of Athens and Royal Lytham.
Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and Jamie Spencer have all ridden two winners of the G2 Coventry Stakes. If victorious, they will become the joint most successful jockey since 1977. Dettori rides Light Angel, Moore partners Arizona and Spencer is aboard Maxi Boy. Walter Swinburn, Mick Kinane and Richard Hughes all partnered three winners.
The most recent winning favourite of the King's Stand Stakes came 10 years ago when Scenic Blast won at 11/4. The Charlie Hills-trained Battaash is likely to head the market for today's renewal.
The Michael Pitman-trained Enzo's Lad is just the second New Zealand-trained runner at Royal Ascot. He runs in the King's Stand Stakes.
American raider Imprimis bids to become the second horse from the USA to win the King's Stand Stakes after Lady Aurelia in 2017. Houtzen would be the fifth Australian-trained winner of the race (2009 Scenic Blast, 2007 Miss Andretti, 2006 Takeover Target and 2003 Choisir).
Godolphin's Blue Point will become the 12th horse to win the G1 King's Stand Stakes twice if landing the five-furlong event this afternoon.
The last filly to win both the Queen Mary Stakes and the King's Stand Stakes was the Wesley Ward-trained Lady Aurelia (2017). Signora Cabello (2018 Queen Mary winner), trained by John Quinn, is bidding to match her today.
The King's Stand Stakes oldest winners since 1977 were aged seven - The Tatling (2004), Takeover Target (2006) and Sole Power (2014). Judicial, trained by Julie Camacho, attempts to match that feat today.
Equiano won the King's Stand Stakes in 2008. Today, his son Equilateral, trained by Charlie Hills, attempts to do the same.
Kingman won the St James's Palace Stakes in 2014. Today, his sons King Of Comedy (John Gosden) and Bell Rock (Andrew Balding) bid to follow up.
Shamardal won the St James's Palace Stakes in 2005. His sons Shaman (Carlos Laffon-Parais) and Skardu (William Haggas) join today's line-up.
Phoenix Of Spain (Charlie Hills) will become the 13th horse to achieve the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace double since 1946 if successful this afternoon.
Aidan O'Brien is targeting an eighth victory in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes. He saddles Circus Maximus, The Irish Rover and Van Beethoven.
Willie Mullins will become the joint most successful trainer of the Ascot Handicap since 1977 with Martin Pipe if successful this afternoon. The Closutton handler, who has enjoyed four winners since 2012, saddles Buildmeupbuttercup in today's renewal.
Irish-trained horses have won the last five runnings of the Ascot Handicap and six of the last seven renewals. There are six Irish-trained runners today.
Ryan Moore will become the most successful jockey in the Ascot Handicap since 1977 if successful on Buildmeupbuttercup. He has three wins to his name in the race.
Gay Kelleway is the only woman to ride a winner at Royal Ascot, her coming victory coming on Sprowston Boy in 1987 in the Queen Alexandra Stakes. Hollie Doyle bids to emulate Kelleway aboard Yabass in the Ascot Handicap. Meanwhile, Kelleway who is now a trainer, runs Cosmelli in the same race.
John Gosden, with four wins, is the most successful trainer in the history of the Listed Wolferton Stakes. The Newmarket trainer saddles Star Of Bengal in the 10-furlong contest.
