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Juan Elcano finishes fast to win Wolferton Stakes

3 minute read

The Kevin Ryan-trained Juan Elcano came with a sweeping late run under Andrea Atzeni to snatch the Listed Wolferton Stakes.

JUAN ELCANO winning the Wolferton Stakes (Listed)
JUAN ELCANO winning the Wolferton Stakes (Listed) Picture: Megan Ridgwell

For much of the 10-furlong contest, it looked as though 4/1 joint favourite Patrick Sarsfield would prevail, but he could not resist the strong challenge of Juan Elcano inside the final furlong. The winning margin was half a length, with the other 4/1 joint favourite Solid Stone a further two and a half lengths back in third.

Atzeni was registering an eighth Royal Ascot win on the four-year-old, who was running for the first time since a wind operation.

Ryan said: "Juan Elcano  was a good two-year-old and he ran well in the Guineas at three and he ran well back here at Royal Ascot at three.

"I thought at Doncaster first time out this year he'd win [finished 6th], and he sort of flattened out and then just half stayed on. So we've done a bit of investigating, given him a wind operation and the rest is history. It's obviously what his problem was.

"He has been working very, very well. He has always been a very talented horse in the mornings and he just seems to be growing in confidence.

"We'll stay at this distance - he picked up well today and got into a lovely rhythm from the first furlong. When he asked him to go, he quickened up nicely."

He added: "This is an amazing meeting and it's great to get winners for any of our owners, but it's really special to get one for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. He has been very loyal to me and put a lot of faith in me and was just nice repaying him for that on the big stage."

Atzeni said: "Juan Elcano obviously showed a lot of promise in his early career. He actually ran in one of the Guineas and for some reason he just went downhill a little bit.

"This is great - it's great to get one on the board, and great for [his owner] Sheikh Mohammed Obaid."


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