Scat Daddy out on his own when playing the Royal Ascot percentages

Scat Daddy’s giant impression made in a few seasons hinted at even better to come before his untimely death in late 2015, yet his legacy can live on through those bidding to extend his outstanding Royal Ascot record.

Racing Post analysis from the last ten renewals of the meeting has the late Ashford Stud flagbearer operating at a nearly 35 per cent strike-rate from those stallions with nine or more runners, close to double that of the next best on record. Although there will be no more formidable two-year-olds to represent him, there are plenty of Scat Daddys with lofty entries throughout the five days.

Top Royal Ascot stallions

1. Scat Daddy [8 wins from 23 runs/34.78 per cent]

Advertised so well by the likes of Lady Aurelia, Caravaggio and No Nay Never, Scat Daddy’s final crop includes Nell Gwyn winner Qabala, who could seek to return to form in the Coronation Stakes if recovering from a disappointment in the Irish Guineas, smart Aidan O’Brien sprinting pair Sergei Prokofiev and So Perfect, and a few unexposed types such as Beatboxer and California Daddy in the Britannia.

2. Tagula [3 wins from 16 runs/18.75 per cent]

Now reaching veteran status at 26 years of age but still standing at Rathbarry Stud, his highlights came from the hat-trick of Royal Ascot victories clinched by the star miler Canford Cliffs. Has found winners harder to find of late and his best chance may again come with the enigmatic Limato, now a likely outsider in the Diamond Jubilee.

Main Edition shone brightly for Zoffany last yearCredit: Bryn Lennon (Getty Images)

3. Zoffany [4 wins from 22 runs/18.18 per cent]

Got as close as any to upsetting the mighty Frankel in the 2011 St James’s Palace Stakes and has become a good source of smart juveniles, including Washington DC, Waterloo Bridge and Main Edition, all of whom struck at this meeting. Main Edition could easily return for the Coronation Stakes after her triumph in the Albany 12 months ago, along with Oaks third Fleeting [Ribblesdale] and unbeaten juvenile Coase.

4. Marju [3 wins from 17 runs/17.65 per cent]

A St James’s Palace Stakes winner for John Dunlop, he added more to his CV as a stallion through the back-to-back Ascot Stakes and Queen Alexandra double in 2012 by Simenon. Marjus are rarely sighted nowadays, as he was pensioned by Derrinstown in 2011 and died in 2016.

5. Monsun [4 wins from 23 runs/17.39 per cent]

One of the great introducers of the prized and stamina-laden German bloodlines, he can still be seen in a few stayers today despite his death at Gestut Schlenderhan in 2012. Although perhaps best-known for siring Melbourne Cup stars Protectionist and Fiorente, he also took Britain’s blue riband the Gold Cup when Estimate famously struck for the Queen in 2013.

6. Red Clubs [2 wins from 12 runs/16.67 per cent]

A great loss to Tally-Ho Stud, as he died after just three promising covering seasons in 2011. Those produced under his watch included Queen Mary winner Ceiling Kitty, who in turn bred another Royal Ascot hero in Arthur Kitt, and the Coronation Stakes and Guineas star Sky Lantern.

Alpha Centauri was a stunning winner for Mastercraftsman in the Coronation StakesCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

7. Mastercraftsman [4 wins from 25 runs/16 per cent]

A St James’s Palace winner who has been quietly building up quite a portfolio at Coolmore, his quality was exhibited in spellbinding fashion by the track record-blitzing Alpha Centauri in last summer’s Coronation Stakes. Could have more chances in 2019 through the likes of a back-to-form Sandringham winner Agrotera in the Duke of Cambridge and a few viable types in the handicaps.

8. Danehill Dancer [11 wins from 70 runs/15.71 per cent]

Tremendously influential for Coolmore, with his name up in lights not only by Mastercraftsman but the likes of King Edward VII scorer Hillstar, Jeremy in the Jersey and Lillie Langtry in the Coronation. His final covering season was in 2013, so unlikely to have any runners of note this time.

9. Giant’s Causeway [4 wins from 26 runs/15.38 per cent]

The 2000 St James’s Palace Stakes was among the honours picked up by the 'iron horse' and he built on that success as a stallion through the likes of Gold Cup star Rite Of Passage and Ghanaati in the Coronation Stakes. Sadly he died just over a year ago and although he may have more Ascot runners in time, he is considered more of an influence in America.

10. Dansili [12 wins from 84 runs/14.29 per cent]

Beaten a whisker by Kalanisi in the Queen Anne, he has succeeded his sire Danehill in Europe through the likes of the durable The Fugue, a game winner of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and fine middle-distance performers including Harbinger and Dandino. Although retired by Juddmonte last year, his quality continues to shine through and could have representation by the progressive Setting Sail and Jassaar in the Royal Hunt Cup and Guineas runner Set Piece in the Britannia.

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