Royal Ascot
Brave Joliestar runs desperately close third as Almeraq springs surprise in Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
By Daniel Harrold
@ANZ_News
In what was yet another spectacular finish to a feature race at Royal Ascot this week, the William Haggas-trained Almeraq (Dark Angel) spoiled the international party on Saturday when he flew home to deny Japanese raider Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) and Chris Waller’s admirable mare Joliestar (Zoustar) in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1, 6f).
Sent off as a 25-1 chance under Tom Marquand, who was replacing Shadwell’s injured retained rider Jim Crowley, the four-year-old colt proved he was no back number as he made the transition from a last-start Listed win to Group 1 heights in great style.
Approaching the final furlong, it seemed as though James McDonald and Joliestar may just strike for the mass Australian contingent that have once again made the much-appreciated journey over to the UK for this week’s five-day bonanza.
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However, Noriyuki Hori’s Satono Reve appeared on the scene bidding to go one better than his second placing behind Lazzat (Territories) in last year’s renewal and the pair battled well inside the final furlong.
Just as it seemed that it would be a head-bob between the pair, Haggas’ Almeraq came with a wet sail to deny both, eventually scoring by a nose from the Japanese raider in a nailbiting end to the final Group 1 of Royal Ascot 2026.
A naturally humble Marquand was quick to pay tribute to Crowley, who was at the track in attendance.
"He had a horrific fall at York at the back-end of last year and your thoughts are obviously with Jim [Crowley] who's not managed to make it back in time for horses like this and that's tough,” the winning rider said.
“He [Almeraq] did an exceptional job today of getting himself up from a crowded position that he wasn't enjoying all too much, his confidence is still probably building a bit.
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“It probably made him look like he was in trouble a long way out, he wasn't really, he just didn't know how to wedge himself back in.
"We had Tiber Flow in a very similar situation a couple of years ago and he was the same, took him a couple of runs to just build confidence.
“He obviously had that run at Salisbury where he was down the inside and that would have done him a lot of good but I think, if anything today, he'll realise that it's not all as scary as it might have been at York that day. He's a wonderfully talented horse.
“Andrew Tinkler rides him every day, everyone knows him from his jumping days. Fantastic that they've got the horse back to this level.
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"I think he's the epitome of Somerville Lodge, they give horses time and they're so patient with him. To have Sheikha Hissa here today is wonderful and I hadn't ridden Somerville Lodge a Group 1 Royal Ascot winner, so that was important.
“Thrilled to do so on a horse like him that shows what they really do."
Crowley, who had ridden Almeraq in four of his six starts prior to Saturday’s contest, said: "Great to see the horse win. Great training performance to get him back. Obviously, he hit the ground that day the same as me, so a marvellous training performance to get him back."
Haggas also referenced the challenge of getting Almeraq back from his fall at York last year.
“As you know, he had a fall at York last year and poor Jim [Crowley] got injured,” Haggas said.
“He took a long time to come back and it’s been gently, gently this spring. He won nicely at Salisbury, but this is a completely different jump in class and he’s managed to cope with it.
“He’s a beautiful horse, we’ve always loved him, a big, strong, powerful horse, and I think he’ll get better, because he’s pretty lightly raced.
“I am thrilled for Shadwell. I’ve been involved with them for quite some time now, and to have a Group 1 winner for them on the biggest stage is terrific. It’s very hard for all of us [to win here], everyone is trying to compete, and to win is great.
“He was pretty shook up after York. It’s quite hard to fall in a race like that at speed, and for a young horse, going at speed, it was difficult, but we gave him a lot of time.
“There was no need to get him ready for the autumn, and this has proved it and now it’s onwards and upwards. He’s fine now.
“I thought this ground might be a bit quick for him; he’s got big feet on him, but it clearly wasn’t. The straight track here, slow-ground horses can cope with fast ground.
“I’m not saying he’s a slow-ground horse, he was terribly impressive one day on slow ground at Ayr. But he’s taken his form to a new level and we’re absolutely delighted with him.”
Chris Waller was on hand shortly after the finish to comment on his mare’s excellent performance.
“I’m just delighted that she turned up,” Waller said. “She performed very well and fought out a great finish, which was typical of the week.
“We’ve seen some great finishes, and unfortunately that was one of them and we just missed out. But it was just an honour to be here.
“It was important coming into the race to make sure that she brought her Australian form here and stood it up, and she really did that. We didn’t win today but she’s certainly got her admirers and that’s what international racing is all about.
“I thought we had to ask her a little bit earlier than I’d have liked. It would have been nice to have put a length on them, so I knew it was going to be tough the last 400 metres. She was brave, and it was literally just the last 20 or 30 yards. It was a great run.”
The Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass (Vancouver), who was backing up four days after running third in the King Charles III Stakes (Gr 1, 5f) on Tuesday, held a prominent position throughout the early part of the race but eventually faded to finish 13th of the 18 runners.
