Donjuan Triumphant seals emotional triumph for owners King Power in Sprint

Donjuan Triumphant provided connections with a poignant success in the Qipco British Champions Sprint, as he secured his first Group 1 win on his last run before retiring to stud.

Not only a landmark occasion for the horse, victory gave owners King Power Racing their breakthrough at the highest level and fittingly it was provided by the first horse Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha ever purchased.

The Thai businessman built King Power into a dominant force within British racing before his tragic death in a helicopter crash last October and the man affectionately known as 'The Chairman' was at the forefront of everyone's thoughts after an emotional win.

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, much-missed founder of King Power RacingCredit: Mark Cranham

"I'm just so thrilled," said trainer Andrew Balding, close to tears as he spoke from the heart. "He was the first one The Chairman ever bought and he'd be so proud of him right now."

He added: "I'm just so pleased to get a Group 1 for King Power and, for a horse like this that has been knocking on the door for so long. He's due to go to stud in France now and I hope he has a long and happy life."

King Power racing manager Alastair Donald echoed Balding's feelings as he underlined the magnitude of the occasion for the owners.

"That's the first Group 1 and for it to be at Ascot, near the anniversary and with the first horse he ever bought is emotional," said Donald.

"He's been such a star horse and has always threatened to win a big one. It's his last run before stud so it couldn't have gone better apart from him not being here.

"New owners are important people to the sport and I think everyone supports them."

Donjuan Triumphant and Silvestre de Sousa return to the winner's enclosure after the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Mark Cranham

Victory came at the end of a testing season for winning rider Silvestre de Sousa, who suffered serious injuries in a fall at Chelmsford in August and who saw Oisin Murphy take his champion jockey crown before racing at Ascot.

"It means everything and I'm just glad it has come before the end of the season," said De Sousa "I wish The Chairman could be here to see this and wherever he is I hope he's watching.

"I had the injury, but it's just nice to have these big horses and, when they deliver on the big days, it's special. It's been an emotional year in many ways and it's hard to see your horses running and you're not riding."

De Sousa is set for usual winter stint in Hong Kong, starting next month, although he did not rule out another title challenge in Britain next year.

"I concentrate on my job but I'd always love to win another one," he added.

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