King Of Cloughan flashes home to land Windsor Castle Stakes
King Of Cloughan caused something of an upset as he shed his maiden tag in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes, providing trainer Joseph O’Brien with a third winner of the week.
In a finish fought out by those towards the stands’ side, 33/1 chance King Of Cloughan found the gaps to post a convincing half-length success under Billy Loughnane. Moonrise (66/1) was second, with 125/1 chance Harlequin Sky the same distance further back in third.
A son of St Mark’s Basilica, King Of Cloughan was dropping back in trip after losing out narrowly to Chesham Stakes contender Nola Soul in a seven-furlong maiden at Leopardstown last month.
O’Brien said: “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. But we liked the horse. We thought he had a good chance to win at Leopardstown the last day and came home a bit disappointed. I think it was the trip, plus the horse who beat him could be smart.
“He got a lovely ride from Billy. I am 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 running well, you’ve got to take your shot, and today was the proof of that.
“I think King Of Cloughan will turn up in a nice two-year-old sprint in the next month or so. I think he is a six-furlong horse this season and you’d hope he might end up in something like the Middle Park later in the year.
“We thought we had a good squad coming here and that they were in good shape. Our horses have been running well and to see that translate into some winners this week is really special.”
Loughnane said: “I wasn’t sure at all what was happening on the right-hand side, but I had a dream passage through. King Of Cloughan relaxed and found a beautiful rhythm. My one instruction was not to use him too soon, so I was delighted to have to wait and then run down PJ McDonald.
“He ran over seven furlongs last time, so there were no issues with him over the stiff six here. Joseph O’Brien is a genius and having so many winners this week. His prepping of the horses is so good – he makes my job very easy.
“A winner both days, it doesn’t get any better. I am very fortunate to be in a position to be picking up spare rides like this. I am very grateful.”
6.10pm Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)
1 King Of Cloughan (Michael Hilary Burke) Joseph O’Brien IRE 2-9-02 Billy Loughnane 33/1
2 Moonrise (Ahmad Alkhallafi) Andrew Balding 2-8-11 PJ McDonald 66/1
3 Harlequin Sky (Jane Chapple-Hyam & Harlequin Direct) Jane Chapple-Hyam 2-8-11 Cieren Fallon 125/1
25 ran 11/4 fav Sergei Diaghilev (9th)
Joseph O’Brien – 7th Royal Ascot winner
Billy Loughnane – 4th Royal Ascot winner