Dettori drives Stoute star Crystal Ocean to Prince of Wales's success

If there was a horse in training who indisputably deserved a first Group 1 success it was Crystal Ocean. After gallantly galloping through ground that pummelling rain threatened to turn into an ocean, he absolutely deserved this one.

Perhaps at no point during this soggy Royal Ascot did the rain pour as hard as during the Prince of Wales's Stakes. Yet as hard as it poured, Crystal Ocean tried harder.

That is what Crystal Ocean does. He is far from the best horse Sir Michael Stoute has trained but it would have been an injustice had he eventually been retired without a top-flight triumph to his name. Now he has one and the job has been done. The number of people who might want him to begin an exciting new job at stud will surely have increased.

Crystal Ocean lands the first Group 1 success of his career under Frankie DettoriCredit: Edward Whitaker

The eight horses who contested the £750,000 prize were faced with gruelling conditions that left Arc runner-up Sea Of Class all at sea. At no point was she ever in contention. At no point was Crystal Ocean ever not competitive.

Climbing the hill away from Swinley Bottom he chased Hunting Horn. Entering the final two furlongs he was driven into the lead by Frankie Dettori, who asked for everything and received even more when Ballydoyle's 13-8 favourite Magical threw down what looked like it might be a winning challenge. Crystal Ocean, two of whose three previous Group 1 seconds had come at Ascot, refused to be passed.

"He was very tough," said Dettori. "I decided I had to kick around the turn and get them all at it. He responded well and kept going, so I was sure it would take a good one to get past me."

Had Enable started her season here, as was once the plan, Dettori would have been one of those trying to get past.

"As soon as I knew Enable wasn't running I rang Michael's office the same morning," he said. "I didn't get a yes that morning but I got one in the afternoon."

The man who gave Dettori the good news praised the teamwork at home that helped deliver the win and also explained why he was happy to run his fine servant over a trip short of what most have believed to be his optimum.

"I thought he ran very well in the Champion Stakes last year," said Stoute. "He ran better than it appeared. I felt that, although he might be better at a mile and a half, he was certainly a pretty good horse at a mile and a quarter and he has proved that today."

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes must be an obvious target for the winner, as it is for Magical and third-placed Waldgeist.

Sir Michael Stoute sports a beaming smile alongside his Royal Ascot hero Crystal OceanCredit: Edward Whitaker

"She ran very well and I'm happy with her," said Aidan O'Brien of Magical. William Haggas was definitely not happy, although his displeasure was aimed not at the James Doyle-ridden fifth Sea Of Class – who he only confirmed a runner early in the afternoon – but at himself.

"I'm so angry with myself for subjecting her to that awful weather," he said.

"As soon as I decided to run her it bucketed down with rain for an hour. We make mistakes occasionally but James looked after her and she'll be fine. The plan was to go for the King George and she still could."

Like Sea Of Class, Crystal Ocean was sired by Sea The Stars. Owner Sir Evelyn de Rothschild is keen that his homebred hero will get the chance to sire progeny of his own.

"When you look at his record he has been quite amazing," said De Rothschild. "I hope someone at some point will take him to a stud somewhere. I want to race him for the whole of this year and then I'll see if someone gets excited."

Frankie Dettori and groom Corrado Morale are both jubilant after Crystal Ocean's triumphCredit: Edward Whitaker

Lest there be any doubt regarding Crystal Ocean's appetite for a life at stud, adoring groom Corrado Morale – who received kisses from fellow Italian Dettori – confirmed his four-legged friend gets excited most mornings.

"He's a little bit cheeky," said Morale. "You have to keep him alone from the fillies. He will be a good stallion. He thinks every day about jumping on fillies but he's not ready for that. He needs to run."

In becoming a Group 1 winner he ran better than he had ever run before. On a wet but wonderful day for his connections, that was crystal clear.

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