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The Juddmonte superstars Colin Keane is set to ride at Royal Ascot
Colin Keane has been appointed retained rider for Juddmonte and heads into Royal Ascot with arguably the strongest book of rides of any jockey. We take a closer look at some of the key horses he could be aboard . . .
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Lead Artist
Colin Keane is set to partner Lockinge winner Lead Artist for the first time, with the colt previously ridden by Kieran Shoemark and, more recently, Oisin Murphy.
The Queen Anne Stakes is shaping up to be a thrilling rematch of last month's Group 1 at Newbury, with the top four in the betting made up of the same quartet who filled the frame that day. It was Lead Artist who came out on top, gamely battling past Dancing Gemini to land the Group 1 under an inspired ride from Murphy.
Dancing Gemini had previously gotten the better of Lead Artist when they clashed at Sandown earlier in the season, where Lead Artist finished a disappointing last. However, he bounced back in style in the Lockinge, and that impressive performance has set up what promises to be one of the most anticipated races of the week at Ascot in the Queen Anne .
The race will mark Lead Artist's first appearance at Ascot and, with Keane in the saddle for the first time, all eyes will be on whether the pair can repeat their Newbury success on the royal stage.
Field Of Gold
St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1)
No horse has generated more jockey chatter this season than Field Of Gold. Kieran Shoemark’s ride on the colt in the 2,000 Guineas was widely seen as the turning point that ultimately cost him his position as number-one jockey for John and Thady Gosden.
That decision opened the door for Keane, who was given the opportunity to partner the colt for the first time in the Irish 2,000 Guineas - and he made it count with a commanding victory at the Curragh.
Now aiming for back-to-back Group 1 wins in the St James's Palace Stakes, Field Of Gold heads the market at even money and could lock horns with his Newmarket conqueror Ruling Court after he was ruled out of the Derby due to ground.
Kalpana
Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group 1)
One of the leading fancies for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the Andrew Balding-trained Kalpana is already proven at Ascot, having landed the Fillies & Mares Stakes there last October.
The four-year-old made her seasonal reappearance when third behind Los Angeles in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, with that rival now favourite for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
This will be the first time Keane takes the ride on Kalpana, who has previously been partnered by an elite cast of jockeys including Ryan Moore, William Buick, and most recently Oisin Murphy.
Qirat
Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)
One of the most exciting handicaps of the Royal Ascot meeting could see Keane on board Qirat for the first time. The Ralph Beckett-trained four-year-old has typically been ridden by Hector Crouch or Rossa Ryan, but a new partnership may be formed for the royal meeting.
Qirat has some terrific Ascot form but is perhaps better of 7f. That said, he was a good sixth in the Britannia Stakes over a mile at last year’s meeting, and has since recorded two seconds in valuable 7f handicaps, most recently when beaten a nose by Hickory in the Victoria Cup.
Babouche
The Ger Lyons-trained Babouche, is a Juddmonte filly who Keane knows extremely well, having partnered her on all five career starts – including their Group 1 success in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
The three-year-old renews her rivalry with Whistlejacket, a familiar foe from the Coolmore ranks, with the pair set to clash for a third time in the Commonwealth Cup.
Keane has come out on top in both previous meetings and will be hoping to make it three from three.
However, they’ll both have to contend with Shadow Of Light, the market leader and a dual Group 1 winner, who finished third in this season’s 2,000 Guineas.
Kikkuli
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
Half brother to the might Frankel, this impeccably bred four-year-old has entries in both the Queen Anne and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, but it looks more likely Keane will partner him in the latter.
The Harry Charlton-trained son of Kingman has just one career success to his name, that coming in a maiden at Newmarket on his first start as a three-year-old last season.
He ran some good races in defeat, most notably when beaten just a nose by Haatem in the Jersey Stakes, and could be a dark horse if taking to sprinting having never raced over 6f before.
He is no stranger to top-class riders, having already been partnered by Ryan Moore, Frankie Dettori, and Oisin Murphy.
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Published on inRoyal Ascot
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