3 minute read
Danny Tudhope has enjoyed a fabulous week and today kicked home his fourth Royal Ascot winner.
The jockey has not been at Royal Ascot every day this week - yesterday he was at Ripon for four rides, one of which was a winner.
Seemingly he can win on anything at the moment, and today brought home the unfancied 25/1 chance Space Traveller to a head victory from the 5/2 favourite Space Blues.
Tudhope, who has ridden the Richard Fahey-trained Space Traveller in all of his nine career starts bar one, said: "To be honest, he didn't travel great, he never felt like a horse who was going to pick up and go and win the race. He was a bit lazy at halfway so I had to make his mind up - when he got out in the clear, he ran on nice.
"Take nothing away from this horse, he has a tremendous amount of ability, he has been consistent without winning. I think he is a bit tricky to win with, but I am glad he has done it here today on the biggest stage.
"Steve Parkin [owner Clipper Logistics] said to drop him in today and tip away, it is all down to him - I am just delighted, it is great to win again in these colours.
"It has been an amazing week for me. I can't really put it into words, I am just thankful to everybody who has helped me."
Tudhope is third in the QIPCO Leading Jockeys' award behind Frankie Dettori (7) and Ryan Moore (5). They are the only three jockeys this week to have ridden more than one winner at Royal Ascot.
Richard Fahey gave much of the credit to absent owner Steve Parkin of Clipper Logistics after 25/1 chance Space Traveller (Danny Tudhope) gave him a second success in the G3 Jersey Stakes, which he also won in 2016 with subsequent four-time Group 1 winner Ribchester.
After Space Traveller had come from off the pace to beat Godolphin's 5/2 favourite Space Blues (James Doyle) by a head he said: "Steve never gets involved in instructions, but I had a long chat with him this morning and he wanted to ride him cold. He said drop him right out and ride him for luck and it's paid off. He came on the outside and flew home.
"When you win a race like this the Lennox Stakes (G2 at Goodwood) looks the obvious race, but I've got to sit down with Steve and the team at Clipper. It's a shame Steve isn't here, but he had a very important meeting and had to go home. I'm sure he'll be delighted."
Fahey, enjoying his first strike of the week and his seventh in all, added: "You would have to say it was a surprise but we did like him last year and he's bounced back to what we thought he might be. He was very disappointing, but he's got himself back on track now and I'm sure the seven furlongs has helped. He might even get a bit further.
"We sent him to France a fortnight ago, trying to find an easy option for a confidence booster, and it was a very messy race. I don't think he was beaten a length and a quarter but he got struck into and knocked over, and so was probably unlucky.
"It's brilliant for Danny. He's riding out of his skin and this is great for us poor little Northern trainers."
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby was pleased with the performance of 5/2 favourite Space Blues who finished second beaten a head.
Appleby said: "I think we'll end up coming back down in trip with Space Blues.
"He just has an abundance of pace. He quickened up there and I thought he was going to put the race to bed.
"We can take nothing away from the winner as he has outbattled us. James said that Space Blues still galloped out to the line, but I think a drop back in trip will be the plan now.
"Something like the Prix Maurice De Gheest [G1 deauville, 6f 110y, Sunday, August 4] could be an option."
Cheveley Park Stud racing manager Chris Richardson was delighted with the John Gosden-trained Angel's Hideaway (14/1), who finished a further length and a half behind in third.
He said: "That was a fantastic performance from Angel's Hideaway. She is a filly that thrives on racing.
"She is her own character and she did everything right today. She jumped as she did in the 1,000 Guineas and if she wants to do, she'll do it.
"Angel's Hideaway is hugely talented and seven furlongs seems to be ideal for her. We'll see where we go from here, but I'm thrilled she has put in the effort today."
