'This is what dreams are made of' - 80-1 Rashabar provides Billy Loughnane with first Royal Ascot winner

Rising star Billy Loughnane arrived at Royal Ascot praying for a breakthrough winner and those prayers were answered when outsider Rashabar held on in a photo-finish to cause an 80-1 upset in the Coventry Stakes.

The 18-year-old has been on a steep upward trajectory and ended last season as champion apprentice, but this latest milestone represents another important step in his transformation from rising star to established force.

From the outside, it has all happened quickly for the young jockey, who only took his first rides in October 2022 after riding on the pony racing circuit. Yet for those closest to him, this is the culmination of years of dedication, and nobody appreciates that more than his father and trainer Mark Loughnane, and mother Clare.

"The minute he was born I put him on a rocking horse and he just gelled in it," said Mark, overcome with emotion in the winner's enclosure. "I'm biased but we all believe in our kids and he's doing everything I thought he would. This is what dreams are made of. I wish the winner was one of mine, but I don't care.

"This is a great moment and everybody has been so good to him in the early days of his career. I've believed in him all of his life. He just wants it. I'm never stuck for words but I'm welling up."

Tote record

Rashabar's 80-1 Coventry Stakes strike contributed to a record Trifecta dividend at Royal Ascot. The Trifecta paid a whopping £122,667.10 to a £1 stake, with the 80-1 winner followed home by 40-1 Electrolyte and 50-1 Columnist. The Placepot also paid £5,406.40 to a £1 stake.

Royal Ascot day one details

• Jackpot: Not won, £22,465.65 carried forward
• Placepot: £5,406.40 to a £1 stake
• Scoop 6: Not won, £229,149.25 rolled over

The winning jockey, who embraced his father between numerous TV interviews, described an overwhelming sense of relief when Rashabar denied the Wathnan Racing pair Electrolyte and Columnist. He partnered his 200th career winner at Windsor on Monday evening, but none of those can compare to his 201st.

"I came here this week praying I would manage to get one on the board," said Loughnane. "To do it so early is a massive relief.

"Dad's been great. I couldn't even get around to the tracks without him. He's taught me to ride since the pony racing days and he's been there for it all.

"It hasn't really sunk in. I've grown up watching Royal Ascot and to win here is incredible.

"I knew the horse would stay further than six furlongs and I saw I had a bit of a break on them on the far side, so I asked him to stretch probably a little bit sooner than ideal. I wasn't sure if he'd held on and you can't put into words the feeling when the number was finally called."

Owner Sam Sangster gives Rashabar a pat alongside Loughnane and trainer Brian MeehanCredit: Patrick McCann

At 80-1 Rashabar is the longest-priced winner of the Coventry since Nando Parrado won at 150-1 in 2020. With the second going off at 40-1 and the third 50-1 – fourth home Cool Hoof Luke was also 40-1 – the Trifecta paid a whopping £122,667.10 to a £1 stake.

But despite his winner's SP, trainer Brian Meehan felt his horse was coming into the race with a better profile than his price indicated after finishing third at Newbury on his debut and second at Chester last month, when he broke slowly from a wide draw.

"It's a tremendous result," said Meehan. "It wasn't a huge surprise to us. He's felt very good since Chester. Sean Levey told me after that run that when a horse runs there it's like two runs because they learn so much.

"He was never going to be a five-furlong horse and we didn't think he'd win at Newbury, but he ran well. You always need two runs for two-year-olds before Royal Ascot. He was then badly drawn at Chester, but I think if he hadn't missed the break he'd have probably won."

He added that the world was Loughnane's oyster, and the same is now true for Rashabar. "The July Stakes comes too soon, but we've always liked the idea of the Prix Morny, while the Richmond Stakes is attractive," said Meehan. "We've got to think about Group 1s and the Breeders' Cup is an option at the end of the year."

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