2018 winner – Merchant Navy
The Diamond Jubilee Stakes is often targeted by many international trainers, having been won by horses from Australia, France, the USA and Hong Kong in its illustrious history. It is the ideal race for these global sprinters to come together, and has provided many memorable moments over the years.
2003 – Choisir.
Paving the way for international challengers at Royal Ascot for many years to come, Choisir lit up Ascot in 2003 by taking both the Kings Stand Stakes and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes within a few days of each other, the first horse for 20 years to win twice at the Royal meeting in the same year. An intimidating presence, Choisir had made relatively easy work of his talented rivals Oasis Dream and Acclamation in the Kings Stand, becoming the first Australian horse to win in the UK. Although his ability to stay the extra furlong of what was then the Golden Jubilee Stakes was questioned, Choisir led every step of the way in the final Group 1 contest of the week to record a famous double with Johnny Murtagh, holding off the late challenge of the heavy favourite, Airwave. If that wasn’t enough, he did it all in course record time. Choisir rewrote the history books at Ascot in 2003 for his trainer Paul Perry, a breakout international success for Australian racing that set the global tone that has embraced Royal Ascot ever since.
2012 – Black Caviar.
Nine years after Choisir’s ground-breaking success at Royal Ascot, arguably the best ever Australian sprinter targeted success at the Royal meeting in order to prove herself the best speedster in the world. Black Caviar arrived at Ascot unbeaten in 21 starts and this had been the target for over a year, and it was a plan that was so nearly thwarted at the very last second. Black Caviar travelled over from Australia and securely kept in Abington Place where her trainer, Peter Moody, added the finishing touches to his superstar filly. When Royal Ascot came around, Black Caviar fever had struck, as the racecourse was covered in the pink and black colours associated with the great mare, and a global audience tuned in to see if Black Caviar could make it 22 wins in a row. With regular jockey Luke Nolan on board, Black Caviar hit the front with just over a furlong to go and cheers erupted from Ascot as she was expected to sprint clear. However, Luke Nolen stopped riding towards the finish much to the alarm of the crowd as the French sprinter Moonlight Cloud came with a typical late run to catch Black Caviar at the line. It was not enough of a challenge though, as Black Caviar did enough to hold on, retaining her unbeaten record much to the relief of her connections and the fans alike.
2016 – Twilight Son.
This was yet another truly international running of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, which saw runners appearing from all over the world, including Hong Kong, the USA, France and Australia, but it was a horse from Henry Candy’s yard near Lambourn that took the spoils. Approaching the final furlong, there were five of the nine horses, more than half the field, still in line and in with a chance of winning, but it was Twilight Son who broke through under a power-packed ride from Ryan Moore to win narrowly from Gold Fun, who had travelled the long journey from Hong Kong only to be so closely denied in a pulsating finish. It was a career-best effort from Twilight Son, and no doubt the defining moment of his career; but the toll this herculean effort took on the horse was clearly shown in his next two starts, where he was unable to land a blow in two further Group 1’s and was soon retired to stud. I believe that this race, particularly the finish, embodies the international flair that Royal Ascot has now come to pride itself on – horses trained in all corners of, the world coming together in a narrow finish, with Twilight Son proving himself to be the best of them all on the day.
This year’s renewal looks like another brilliant renewal, perhaps made even more exciting by the surprise presence of the recent Kings’ Stand winner Blue Point who looks to emulate the great Choisir by winning the two big sprints of the week. While he has arguably already defeated his biggest challenger of the week in Muhaarar, he faces more smart rivals here including last year’s runner-up City Light, as well as the improving Invincible Army and Ascot specialist The Tin Man. With any luck, it will be yet another stellar contest.
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