A massive field of 25 juveniles went to the post for the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot overnight and the Joseph O’Brien trained St Mark’s Basilica colt King of Cloughan emerged as the winner.
The new-look Windsor Castle underwent a somewhat controversial change to its race conditions following last year's renewal with the race distance increasing from 5f to 6f alongside a restriction which states all runners must be by a sire that won a race over at least 7f as a 2yo, or a mile and beyond at three and upwards.
The result is a field of youngsters that in theory are geared towards future goals rather than just a juvenile scamper and King of Cloughan rose to the challenge.
Fourth and second at his first two starts in Ireland, the most recent run at 7f, gave him fitness and race experience to take on the big stage. King of Cloughan was doing his best work late for Billy Loughnane and powered to the line to win by half a length at his third race start.
“We thought bringing King of Cloughan back in trip was the right move, but it was hard to fancy him because he'd been beaten in two maidens,” said Joseph O’Brien.
“We thought he had a good chance to win at Leopardstown the last day and came home a bit disappointed, but I think it was the trip, and dropping him back was the right thing to do.
“He got a lovely ride from Billy. I'm so delighted for his owner, Michael Burke. Royal Ascot is such a special place, that if you've got a horse that can line up here and has a reasonable expectation of being able to run well, you've got to take your shot and today was the proof of that. I think he'll turn up in a nice two-year-old sprint in the next month or so.”
King of Cloughan was purchased for €110,000 at Goffs Orby Yearling Sale Book 1 by Carrignog Racing and is the first foal of US bred stakes-winner Mystic Eyes, whose dam and grand-dam Cloudburst and Harbor Springs are also SW’s in the US.
King of Cloughan is the sixth stakes-winner for St Mark’s Basilica, who is due back at Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $38,500.
