No fewer than 11 nations are represented across the entries for Royal Ascot’s
seven Group 1 races, amongst them a record-breaking 10 from the United States,
three of them doubly engaged in both the King’s Stand S. and Golden Jubilee S.,
legs four and five of the Global Sprint Challenge.
Additionally from outside Europe, Australia has four entries, three doubly
engaged in both sprints; Hong Kong three entries, with one doubly engaged;
Singapore two entries, with one doubly engaged; and Japan is represented by
three entries at the initial stage, one in each of the St. James’s Palace S.,
Coronation S. and the Gold Cup.
“We’re obviously delighted to have received such strong entries, from all
around the world, in quality and quantity terms for the Royal Ascot Group 1
races,” Nick Smith, head of communications and International Racing at Ascot,
said. “Twenty-two individual horses from outside Europe, many doubly engaged, is a
record at the initial stage, and there are also two in the Ribblesdale and we’re
hoping to see some two-year-olds from the U.S.A. as well.
“The Americans steal the limelight somewhat but it is also particularly
pleasing to see three entries from Japan, as we haven’t had a runner from there
since 2006, and of course to see the name of Singapore’s star, Rocket Man
(Viscount), amongst the entries.
“Whilst the sprints, bolstered by the Global Sprint Challenge, have obviously
attracted the lion’s share of the international entries, the interest in the
three-year-old mile showdowns is encouraging.
“The British, French, Irish and wider European interest in the Royal Meeting
remains just as important as attracting runners from outside Europe, of course,
and it is worth noting that Godolphin have made 44 entries and Aidan O’Brien has
made 35.”
Amongst the U.S. entries for the Golden Jubilee is 2010 Santa Anita Derby
(G1) winner SIDNEY’S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), owned by Jenny Craig, who with
her late husband, Sidney, won the 1992 Derby (Eng-G1) with Dr Devious (Ire). The
John Sadler-trained Sidney’s Candy was last seen romping by 7 1/4 lengths in the
Sir Beaufort S. (G3) on December 26.
Grade 2 victor CARACORTADO (Cat Dreams), second by a head two back in the
Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. (G1), is very much on course to line up in the Golden
Jubilee. The Mike Machowsky charge recently ran a close, but disappointing,
fifth in the Arcadia S. (G2), and could show up next in the May 7 Woodford
Reserve Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Todd Pletcher has entered three horses for the Royal Meeting — recent
Shakertown S. (G3) winner STRATFORD HILL (A.P. Indy), last year’s Breeders’ Cup
Turf Sprint (G2) fourth BRIDGETOWN (Speightstown) and last year’s Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Fillies Turf (G2) winner MORE THAN REAL (More Than Ready). Stratford
Hill and Bridgetown are scheduled in the two springs, while More Than Real is a
Coronation possible for celebrity chef owner Bobby Flay.
Shakertown third GREAT ATTACK (Greatness) is entered for the King’s Stand for
dual Royal Ascot-winning trainer Wesley Ward, who has also entered HOLIDAY FOR
KITTEN (Kitten’s Joy), owned by Ken Ramsey and his wife, who owned 2009 Golden
Jubilee runner-up Cannonball. Ward is also considering the two-year-old Royal
Ascot program for his in form string.
Last year’s Golden Jubilee third, KINSALE KING (Yankee Victor), is entered
for just the King’s Stand this year, with his Irish-born trainer Carl
O’Callaghan planning to run the improving dark horse LEAVING NEW YORK (Tribal
Rule) in the Golden Jubilee.
Kenny McPeek, who saddled three runners at Royal Ascot last year, has entered
KATHMANBLU (Bluegrass Cat) for the Coronation with a view to a possible run in
England after the Kentucky Oaks (G1). He will also have two entries in the June 16 Ribblesdale S. (Eng-G2) next week — Grade 2-placed NIJI’S GRAND GIRL (Candy
Ride [Arg]) and SASSY’S DREAM (Flower Alley).
The Asian contingent at Royal Ascot could be strong this year with the
highest profile name amongst the entries (Golden Jubilee only) undoubtedly the
Singapore-trained ROCKET MAN, who gained a much deserved first Group 1 outside
his home country in the Dubai Golden Shaheen last month. Compatriot BETTER BE
THE ONE (More Than Ready), a close third in the Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-G3) on the
same Dubai card, is another possible and is in both sprints. Both Singapore
horses have the KrisFlyer Sprint (Mal-G1), leg four of the Global Sprint
Challenge, as their next target.
Two three-year-olds are entered for Japan — last year’s Grade One-winning
champion two-year-old GRAND PRIX BOSS (Sakura Bakushin O), who has the NHK Mile
(Jpn-G1) at home as his next target, and MARCELLINA (Deep Impact), recent winner
of the Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas) (Jpn-G1). The trio is made
up of recent Grade 3 victor COSMO MEADOW (King’s Best), a fascinating prospect
for the Gold Cup.
Completing the Asian entries are a trio from Hong Kong, including SWEET
SANETTE (Jallad), entered for both Royal Ascot sprints. John Moore, responsible
for Happy Zero last year, has entered SUNNY KING (Desert Sun [GB]), third to
Rocket Man in Dubai and a regular in Group 1 company in Hong Kong, in the Golden
Jubilee, and XTENSION (Xaar), fourth in last year’s English Two Thousand Guineas
(Eng-G1) when with Clive Cox, in the Queen Anne S. (Eng-G1).
Although it looks a case of next year for Black Caviar’s international
campaign, the horse that has so far given the great mare most to do, STAR
WITNESS (Starcraft [NZ]), leads a contingent of four entries from Down Under as
the Australians seek to add a sixth Royal Ascot victory to their remarkable
recent record. Group 2 victor SHRAPNEL (Charge Forward) and Group 1 scorer EAGLE
FALLS (Hussonet) join Star Witness on the entry list for both Royal Ascot
sprints, while Black Caviar’s stablemate and Group 3 winner HINCHINBROOK (Fastnet
Rock) round out the Australian quartet and is in the Golden Jubilee.
OVERDOSE (Starborough), nicknamed the “Budapest Bullet,” has been entered in
the King’s Stand and is arguably the most fascinating of the European (outside
U.K.) entries, which number 67 from Ireland, 39 from France, 4 from Italy and
one from Spain across the seven Group 1.