3 minute read
Blue Point (6/4 favourite), this week's winner of the King's Stand Stakes (G1, 5f), became the first King's Stand winner since Choisir in 2003 to double up in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1, 6f).
The five-year-old Shamardal horse cruised to the front under James Doyle, but was all out on the line to hold on by a head from 12/1 chance Dream Of Dreams.
Trainer Charlie Appleby said: "We thought about it the week before - he put in a very good piece of work ahead of the King's Stand and High Highness came into town a bit early.
'We were walking around looking at the Royal Ascot runners and I said 'Sir, if you are happy we will leave him in the horse in on the Saturday, let's just dream we can win the King's Stand and give ourselves a position to go and have crack at the Diamond Jubilee'.
Blue Point is going to retire this year - he's a superstar.
"The lads at home have done a fantastic job, he has been with us since a juvenile - he won a Gimcrack, he's been phenomenal, coming to Ascot he's really brought his A game, full credit to the team, getting him back to this has been amazing.
"Thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed - I am just the lucky person in this position, he's made the call for this, as long as we were happy with the horse and all I can do is give him the information on the horse.
"It is so sporting of His Highness to being this horse back and Masar too - that's what sport is all about, entertainment and seeing good horses and allowing to seeing horses run at four."
A clearly emotional Appleby added: "None of us can do this without the horse - what sets him apart is what we saw today, he is a class animal.
"We saw him develop from four to five into what we always felt was the real deal. I don't want to sound like I am trying to be too clever here, but when I saw him win his first start at Meydan in February, I just felt he was the finished article and that this was going to be his year.
"If good horse such as this doesn't encourage you or give you get a buzz, you might look at a different sport! His Highness is so enthusiastic about his racing, that is why we have seen the likes of Blue Point and Masar running today.
"He enjoys his racing, he is a true horseman, but more importantly he is a great supporter of the game. I thought it was very sporting of him to take on this challenge."
Of plans for Blue Point, Appleby said: "We will let the dust settle, this was always going to be his last year, win lose or draw. We'll enjoy this moment and let the horse have a rest - he probably needs it for a couple of weeks."
