Champion trainer Chris Waller had his first taste of Royal Ascot when I Am Invincible colt Brazen Beau finished a close second in the 2015 Group I Diamond Jubilee Stakes and he featured this year as a sire when his 2YO colt The Ridler scored a surprise victory in the Group II Norfolk Stakes (5f).
Trained by Richard Fahey, The Ridler had plenty of race experience coming into this with a win and a third and fourth placings to his credit, but was sent to the post at 50-1.
Despite racing greenly to the line, he proved too good for the favourite Walbank (Kodiac) to win by a length and three-quarters.
Winning rider Paul Hanagan got a 10 day suspension for the interference he caused when The Ridler drifted across the track.
"I definitely deserved a ban – without a doubt – but I did think ten days was a bit harsh. I go around every day, see interference every day and sometimes I wonder how a jockey hasn't picked up days,” he said.
"He pricked his ears in front and I always felt he was clear. I don't think they had to stop riding. He's still very green and a baby. I put my stick down to get him straight, so I couldn't have done much more. There's lots of emotions right now."
The Ridler is a homebred for Steve Bradley of Smarden Thoroughbreds, who named him The Ridler in reference to his unusual reverse question mark facial marking that reminded Bradley of Batman villain The Riddler.
He had to change the spelling slightly to accommodate British Horse Racing rules.
The Ridler is the best of two winners from placed Lope de Vega mare Colorada, whose dam is a three-quarter sister to Group III winner Trumbaka.
He is the 19th stakes-winner for Brazen Beau, who shuttles to the UK for Darley and stands in Victoria at a fee of $44,000 this spring.
