Stoute savours Dream Of Dreams’ victory in Diamond Jubilee Stakes
Dream Of Dreams proved a fitting headline act as Royal Ascot 2021 drew to a close.
With limited crowds back on course in Berkshire, there was plenty of drama for racegoers to enjoy throughout the week - from Poetic Flare's electric performance in Tuesday's St James's Palace Stakes, to Stradivarius' eclipse in Thursday's Gold Cup and the reversal of placings in Friday's Commonwealth Cup, when the card only just got the go-ahead following an overnight deluge.
That wet weather saw ante-post favourite Starman pulled out of Saturday's Diamond Jubilee Stakes - but there were no such worries for Dream Of Dreams, who finally bagged the Group One heat at the third attempt.
Sir Michael Stoute - who has trained more winners at the meeting than anyone else - was recording his 82nd Royal Ascot success with the chestnut, who had been beaten in two photo-finishes in the past two editions of the race.
Blue Point edged him out in 2019, while 12 months ago it was Hello Youmzain, and he was sent off the 3-1 favourite to make amends.
Dream Of Dreams made no mistake this time, fending off Glen Shiel by a length, with front-runner Art Power a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
Stoute said: "The horse really deserved it. He's a topclass
sprinter, and the previous two years one more stride and he wins, but that is not what it's about. You've got to get there first. I'm really happy for him.
"He won a Group One last year at Haydock and he's won Group races, but it has been frustrating because he has been beaten so narrowly in the past. He's such a good racehorse - and as he's got older and mature, he's relaxed more and got better.
"He was my last chance of the meeting. Group Ones have never been easy, and it's probably a little harder now, and experience often gets beaten by these young pups."
Ryan Moore partnered Dream Of Dreams and completed a treble on the day - with Point Lonsdale triumphing in the Chesham Stakes, while Stratum outstayed his rivals in the closing Queen Alexandra Stakes.
Wonderful Tonight
returned to action better than ever with a resounding success in the Hardwicke Stakes.
The racing calendar moved on to Chantilly yesterday and Aidan O'brien won the Prix de Diane for the first time thanks to a determined effort from Joan Of Arc.
She repelled the late finish of Philomene - providing O'brien with a third French Classic victory this season, after her stablemate St
Mark's Basilica had claimed both the French 2000 Guineas and Derby.
Ioritz Mendizabal was aboard St Mark's Basilica for those triumphs, and he teamed up to great effect with Joan Of Arc again. O'brien said: "I'm absolutely delighted. Ioritz gave her a great ride. We've tried to win the race lots of times - but it's a very difficult race to win, very competitive. I'm absolutely over the moon."