Mettle of the Man
James Fanshawe’s Tin Man claimed a controversial victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. By Graham Clark
THE Tin Man had to survive a nervy stewards’ inquiry before being confirmed the winner of a thrilling Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
James Fanshawe’s charge had previous over the course and distance having landed the British Champions Sprint last October, but needed to raise his game after finishing fifth on his reappearance in last month’s Duke of York Stakes.
Sent off at 9-2, he was waited with by Tom Queally before launching his challenge against the far rail in the final furlong.
The Tin Man responded to join Duke of York victor Tasleet and 2-1 favourite Limato in a threeway battle for supremacy and after some scrimmaging – in which Limato was the meat in the sandwich as the winner came off the rail – Fanshawe’s charge prevailed by a neck.
Tasleet was three-quarters of a length in front of Limato in second and although the stewards looked into possible interference late in the piece and called in the jockeys, the placings remained unaltered, with Ryan Moore, the rider of Limato, admitting that while his mount was squeezed for room, his chance “was gone at that point.”
Fanshawe said: “I’m a very relieved man and I’m grateful to The Tin Man for putting up a fantastic performance, to Tom, who gave him a great ride, and everyone back at home. These are the horses you need. The Tin Man is a star horse and we’re lucky to have him.
“There’s no place like Royal Ascot and training Group One winners here is great. I’m just enjoying today, but he’s in the July Cup so we’ll see how he is over the next few days.”
With a nod to the impressive performance of Caravaggio in the Commonwealth Cup on Friday, he added: “It will be interesting when the four-year-olds meet the threeyear-olds, as they looks a good bunch. He is great for the yard and a great horse to have. I’m sure we will meet with Caravaggio at some point this year and let’s just hope The Tin Man is in one piece when they do meet up.”
Queally, best known for partnering the great Frankel to each of his 14 career wins including two victories at Royal Ascot, was delighted to be back in the famous winner’s circle.
Queally said: “It’s very hard to get a ride here and it’s ever harder to ride a winner.
“I’m riding as good now as I was then [when Frankel was racing] and I will be for a few more years.
“He [The Tin Man] is a good horse in this division and he showed his authority there. “It’s nice to get a winner here.”
Idaho could join his full-brother Highland Reel in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes next month after winning the Hardwicke Stakes. Just as his sibling had on Wednesday in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, the 9-2 chance proved too good for his rivals, beating Barsanti and Chemical Charge by half a length and one and a quarter lengths, as winning rider Seamie Heffernan timed it to perfection. The Queen’s Dartmouth had every chance when hitting the front seemingly full of purpose, but in the end had to settle for fourth.
The victory secured Aidan O’Brien top trainer honours at the meeting for an eighth time.