3 minute read

Hello Youmzain landed the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, handing jockey Kevin Stott a first Royal Ascot winner. 

Hello Youmzain landed the second G1 sprint of his career when taking the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, handing jockey Kevin Stott a first Royal Ascot winner. 

The four-year-old Kodiac colt, who is owned by Haras d'Etreham and Cambridge Stud and trained by Kevin Ryan, landed the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup in 2019 and was also third at the 2019 Royal Meeting in the G1 Commonwealth Cup.

Today, Hello Youmzain blasted from the stalls and took the 10-strong field along. He was headed by 2/1 favourite Sceptical entering the final furlong but rallied to regain the lead and held off the late challenge of Dream Of Dreams by a head. 

Adam Ryan, son of Kevin Ryan, said: "Hello Youmzain has done it the hard way. 

"He jumped well and Kevin [Stott] did the right thing, let him find his stride and where he was happy, and when it came to the business end, he battled on hard. He is a very game, very tough horse, and especially to do that on his first run of the season was very impressive.

"He did well over the winter; he strengthened up and matured again. We had him as well as we could have done at home - his work has been very good. We always thought this year he'd be more of the finished article, and he looked fantastic today. Credit to the team.

"It's fantastic, particularly given the times we have gone through. For everyone in racing, to get it back and win on the biggest stage of all is fantastic. As well, for Kevin Stott - we knew him when he first came across and he did his apprenticeship with us. He is an absolute credit to his family and gave Hello Youmzain a brilliant ride. I am delighted for him to have his first Group One winner for us.

"We will see how he comes back from this, but he's a Group One sprinter and he will be tackling all of them. The July Cup is an obvious choice for his next run. He has a lot of natural speed as well, so I don't think we'll rule out dropping him down to five. He'll probably get an entry in the Nunthorpe as well."

Regarding jockey bookings, Adam said: "The owners have been great. It was very important for us to get a winner for them, and for his stud career, and they left it to us and we've got ultimate faith in Kevin [Stott]. In my opinion, he is one of the most up-and-coming young jockeys out there and has just proved it on the biggest stage. 

"Nicolas de Chambure in France and Brendan Lindsay of Cambridge Stud in New Zealand are Hello Youmzain's owners now, and obviously he will be retired to stud for them, so it was very important for us - he's now won a Group Two as a two-year-old and two Group Ones as a three and four-year-old, so it's very important for all involved."

Speaking from Cambridge Stud in New Zealand, owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay said: "This is the most amazing thing ever for us. We were so nervous, and we have been out for dinner tonight with some friends, and they are back home watching the race back home.

"I think it feels like half of New Zealand is up watching the race tonight the amount of phone calls and messages we have had! I don't know if any New Zealander has won a Group One at Royal Ascot before, it is just amazing.

"Thanks to Hubie de Burgh [agent] and thanks very much to Nicolas de Chambure, our partner in France.

"He will go to France first when he goes to stud and he will probably be here in June, July and August next year.

"It is really emotional, not a bad training effort either from Kevin Ryan. My goodness they deserve congratulations too."

Kevin Stott said: "Unbelievable. Listen, fair play to the horse - he dug very deep when I needed him. All credit to him more than me. 

"I am blessed to be put back on him with the change of ownership and I can't describe in words how thankful I am that they put me back on him. It means everything

"Kevin gave me a lot of confidence going out riding him, I have ridden him a handful of times before and Kevin said 'Ride him like the best horse in the race'. 

"Like I say he dug deep when I needed him, I am very delighted.

"I am pretty sure [Dad] is very delighted, my mum watching and my brothers as well. It is a dream come true. I am very happy.

"So much credit to the horse going into this without a run he is a very big horse, he has dug deep when I needed him, all credit to the horse."

3.35pm Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

1 Hello Youmzain [drawn 2] Kevin Ryan 6-9-03 Kevin Stott 4/1
2 Dream Of Dreams [9] Sir Michael Stoute 6-9-03 Ryan Moore 8/1
3 Sceptical [6] Denis Hogan IRE 4-9-03 Frankie Dettoti 2/1 Fav

6th Royal Ascot win for trainer Kevin Ryan

1st Royal Ascot win for jockey Kevin Stott

10 ran 

Distances: hd, nk

Time: 1m 13.42s