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Four things we learned on the fifth and final day at Royal Ascot

Sir Michael Stoute (top hat) celebrates another Royal Ascot success
Sir Michael Stoute (top hat) celebrates another Royal Ascot successCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sir Michael Stoute is a man always worth waiting for

The Queen was not the only much-loved figure to make a hugely welcome appearance on the final afternoon.

Stoute trained his first winner at this meeting in Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee year of 1977 so it was fitting that his record-extending 82nd should come in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

And Dream Of Dreams's win showed that patience invariably pays off when it comes to the master of Freemason Lodge.

The patience of a man prepared to wait for a sprinter to reach his peak as a seven-year-old – and the patience of punters relying on a trainer who invariably comes up with the goods at this meeting, even if he has to wait until the final day and his last runner for a winner.

It is third time lucky for Dream of Dreams who wins the Diamond Jubilee Stakes after two near-misses
It is third time lucky for Dream of Dreams who wins the Diamond Jubilee Stakes after two near-missesCredit: Mark Cranham

Reach For The Moon could be the most talented maiden in training

The Queen had plenty to cheer about in the first Royal Ascot race she saw live for two years – and there could be plenty more to come.

Yarmouth debut second Reach For The Moon took a step up in class for the Listed Chesham Stakes very much in his stride, leading the field and looking well worth his place in smart company.

It was only late on that he was run down by the highly-touted and well-backed Point Lonsdale and the first two pulled clear of the rest.

There is considerable improvement still to come from Reach For The Moon, who showed his inexperience by wandering in front, and he looks sure to win races.

Love may have a rival as the best middle-distance filly around

David Menuisier enjoyed some memorable days with Thundering Blue but Wonderful Tonight is the best horse he has trained.

And the four-year-old could take the Sussex-based Frenchman to the very best races on the biggest days after a hugely encouraging comeback win in the Hardwicke Stakes.

She was thought to need the race and she showed her freshness by the keen way she raced yet she was still able to quicken clear of a classy field for a ready victory.

Wonderful Tonight was a Group 1 winner here on Champions Day last October – she may well have the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in her sights this autumn.

Wonderful Tonight won well under William Buick
Wonderful Tonight won well under William BuickCredit: Edward Whitaker

Replays, results and analysis


Racing should not lose much sleep over climate change protest

It was something of a back-handed compliment for Ascot and for racing that Extinction Rebellion should choose this as the scene of their latest stunt.

Anyone looking for publicity knows that this is a place to be seen – even if it is a warning of doom you are showing off, rather than a new frock.


All the news on the last day at Royal Ascot:

Point Lonsdale digs deep to deny the Queen's Reach For The Moon

Creative Force leads 1-2 for Charlie Appleby in Jersey Stakes

Wonderful Tonight slashed for Arc after dazzling comeback success for Menuisier

Dream Of Dreams edges out Glen Shiel to finally get his Diamond Jubilee

Extinction Rebellion protestors ejected after demonstration aimed at Queen


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David CarrReporter

Published on 20 June 2021inNews

Last updated 10:08, 20 June 2021

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