Holloway Boy's 40-1 debut win may have been amazing - but it's been done before

Holloway Boy may have stunned punters with his 40-1 debut success in the Chesham Stakes, but he is not the first two-year-old to defy inexperience and triumph at Royal Ascot first time out.

It happened in the same race in 1996 when the late Hamdan Al Maktoum's home-bred colt Shamikh, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, launched his career by seeing off 11 rivals.

He had clearly shown something at home as he started 8-1 third favourite behind 6-4 market leader Belgravia, and he proved on course he had plenty of ability as he came through to lead over a furlong out to win by a length under Richard Hills.

Holloway Boy (right): caused a major upset by winning on debut in the Chesham on SaturdayCredit: Mark Cranham

Shamikh did not get the chance to build on that hugely promising start as he ran just once more, finishing 14th in the 2,000 Guineas the following spring.

Three times in the 1990s the Windsor Castle Stakes went to a newcomer, through Isdar (1991), Kuantan (1995) and Dazzle (1996).

But winning first time out at Royal Ascot proved the stepping stone to greatness for Chief Singer in 1983.

Alhough he started 20-1 outsider of the field in the Coventry Stakes, his work at home had convinced Ron Sheather he had what it took and he fully rewarded his trainer's enterprise, coming from behind under Ray Cochrane to win going away by four lengths.

Chief Singer finished second to the brilliant El Gran Senor in the 2,000 Guineas the following season before winning the St James's Palace Stakes, July Cup and Sussex Stakes for owner Jeff Smith, who had resisted temptation to sell the colt after that Coventry success.

Earlier, the shrewd Ryan Price, a master at producing horses who were prepared for the job first time out, was fully aware of the capabilities of Romeo Romani when the Harry Demetriou-owned debutant landed the 1979 Norfolk Stakes under a confident Brian Taylor.

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