Alobayyah justified 11/4 favouritism in a Kensington Palace Stakes dominated by trainer William Haggas, who also saddled the third Seren Star (40/1) and fourth Rhapsody (12/1).

Lining up against 23 opponents, the Ghaiyyath filly finished powerfully for Tom Marquand towards the stands’ side and overhauled the James Fanshawe-trained Miss Nightfall (12/1) in the closing strides.

Alobayyah had been restricted to four starts before today, most recently finishing an eye-catching third on her return in a course-and-distance handicap last month.

Haggas said: “Alobayyah ran no good last year, then this year she ran very good and we kept her for this. We have had a bit of luck because I think we were third and fourth as well, so it’s been a good race. Poor old James Fanshawe – who I am very fond of – was second, so Newmarket 1-2-3-4.

“We trained Alobayyah for a Classic because we thought she was pretty good. That was the wrong thing to do because she wasn’t ready. It set her back three months and we never really recovered, plus we had lots of other issues. Lucky to have some patient owners. It is very easy for a trainer to be patient, but you need the owners to row in. It is their first Royal Ascot winner and I am absolutely thrilled for them.

“Alobayyah is ridden every day by one of our assistants, Issy Paul – she will be beside herself – and she’s done a great job. I am really, really thrilled. I can’t tell you how much this means. Everyone says it’s a team effort and it certainly is. I’m just lucky enough to be the chap whose name is on the licence.”

Marquand said: “The team has done an awesome job, just taking their time with her and getting her right. Her owners’ patience has been rewarded as well. Somerville Lodge, I think with horses like this, really show what they do best – paying attention to the horse and maximising their potential. I think this filly is really going to start to reward that now. Hopefully this is just the beginning.

“It is so important to have winners here. We had a couple of good chances yesterday and a couple of near misses, but nothing went wrong, and that’s the measure of the place – it’s tough to win. We all know that. We come here to compete at our best and sometimes we come up short, but that’s what it is.

“Winners like this, with fillies like this, matter. A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes and a lot of time, so it’s wonderful. We’re a big team and everybody is so invested in driving the ship in the same direction. It is easy steering these ones towards the finish line, but it’s a big privilege to be aboard these horses for the team.”

James Fanshawe said of the second: “Miss Nightfall ran really well. She travelled and, unfortunately, we got nailed! She was bred by Peter Swann and his lads are here. She has always been one of those ones who doesn’t give you a clue at home how she is – she really does it on the racecourse. She might come back here for the International [Handicap].”

5.35pm Kensington Palace Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap)

1 Alobayyah (Salhia Stud Limited) William Haggaas 4-8-11 Tom Marquand 11/4F

2 Miss Nightfall (The Cool Silk Partnership) James Fanshawe 4-8-10 David Egan 12/1

3 Seren Star (Serendipity) William Haggas 4-8-09 Harri Davies 40/1

4 Rhapsody (Highclere Thoroughbred Racing) William Haggas 4-8-13 Cieren Fallon 12/1

5 Rumba Numba (Apple Tree Stud) Roger Varian 4-8-09 Jack Mitchell 14/1

24 ran

William Haggas – 18th Royal Ascot winner

Tom Marquand – 9th Royal Ascot winner