Ascot week a royal success

GUY Henderson, who became Ascot’s Chief Executive in January, has just presided over his first Royal Ascot.

He said: “Royal Ascot has given us a week of tremendous racing, bookended by performances of real quality from Solow, one of three wins for France, and Gleneagles on Tuesday, and a fabulous victory for Wesley Ward and the USA in Saturday’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes with Undrafted. We shouldn’t forget Australian star Brazen Beau’s gallant second there either.

“The Gold Cup remains central and integral to Royal Ascot and it was a wonderful effort from the Ed Dunlop-trained Trip To Paris in our oldest and most famous race.

“We have seen some terrific equine and human performances and milestones - Ryan Moore broke the modern day top jockey record with nine wins, Frankie notched up his 50th Royal Ascot winner earlier in the week and went on to ride two more, and Aidan O'Brien once again proved the master trainer of Royal Ascot with five wins. Richard Hannon, Charlie Hills, Mark Johnston and John Gosden also had good weeks with two wins apiece.

“There were a record number of overseas’ successes this weeks - 13 as against a previous best of 11 in 2012 - emphasising the appeal of Royal Ascot to those from far and wide.

“Attendances were up, 293 303 racegoers enjoyed themselves and the restaurants have been full for most of the week.

“Our TV pictures went around the world to nearly 150 countries, including Australia’s Channel 7, and we had reached a record 4 million people on Twitter and 8 million on facebook as at 6pm today. “I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all the Ascot team for delivering a first class Royal Meeting.’’

- racenews@racenewsonline.com