2018 winner – Poet’s Word
The Prince of Wales’s Stakes has played host to some fantastic horses since its inauguration, including Bosra Sham, Brigadier Gerard, Dubai Millennium and Ouija Board to name a few. Here are a few of my personal favourites:
3. 2006 – Ouija Board. It was a close call between this race and Bosra Sham’s demolition in 1997 for Sir Henry Cecil and Kieren Fallon, but what edged Ouija Board in front for me was the close finish as a result of a slow pace throughout the race turning it into a sprint up the famous Ascot home straight. There is nothing more thrilling in a finish than seeing five horses in a line and all in with a chance of winning entering the final furlong. Olivier Peslier gave Ouija Board a fantastic ride that day, having found themselves caught on the rail turning for home, he switched wide and was able to deliver a late challenge with his willing partner’s electric turn of foot to go away and win with some degree of comfort eventually by half a length against some classy opponents including Dubai World Cup winner Electrocutionist and Champions’ Stakes winner David Junior (who would go on to reverse the form in the Eclipse next time out). What makes this performance so memorable was not only the style with which she won, but the sheer popularity of Ed Dunlop’s simply brilliant globetrotting filly who went on to enjoy further success both as a racehorse and as a broodmare, where of course she became the dam of the Derby-winner Australia.
2. 2013 – Al Kazeem. All you need to do is take one look at the quality of the field Al Kazeem beat this day and understand just why it stands out so much, among his opposition were dual-Derby winner Camelot and The Fugue who would win this race the following year. The race itself was fascinating, with Mukhadram and Side Glance setting a rapid early pace to ensure that it was a true test. As Side Glance began to drop back when they turned for home Mukhadram only went further clear under a brilliant ride from Paul Hanagan, and three lengths clear 2 furlongs out it would have been easy to think that he had stolen the race. But, Al Kazeem and James Doyle had other ideas, as the son of Dubawi gallantly ran on to catch the long-time leader in the final furlong, and had enough bravery to overcome Mukhadram in a head to head battle up to the line. In his racing career, which saw him win four Group 1’s, Al Kazeem will be remembered for his heart which he clearly displayed in this race, as well as the ability to return after a short spell at stud to be narrowly beaten in the Champions’ Stakes the following year before going on to add a second Tattersalls Gold Cup to his record as a seven year old. His close duel with Mukhadram at Royal Ascot was arguably his finest hour.
1. 2011 – Rewilding. Over the last 20 years, the rivalry between the Coolmore Partnership and Godolphin has provided racing fans with many memorable moments both at Ascot and further afield; the 2011 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes provided one of the most stirring finishes ever seen at Royal Ascot perhaps driven even more by the rivalry between two of the biggest organisations in horse racing. The attention leading up to the 2011 running of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes was surrounding the Australian superhorse, So You Think, who had recently been shipped to the Northern Hemisphere to be trained by Aidan O’Brien with this race as a key target. Given every chance to add the Prince Of Wales’ Stakes to his already illustrious record, So You Think went clear entering the final 2 furlongs and looked to have the race won. But, sprinting down the outside to challenge So You Think came Frankie Dettori and the 17/2 shot Rewilding to provide one final and late challenge. As So You Think began to falter, Rewilding stole the prize at the last moment under an absolutely brilliant ride from Dettori, whose name is synonymous with Ascot, to provide Rewilding with the high point of his career. It is cruel how fortunes can turn, however, as while So You Think soared to further Group 1 success later in the season as well as in this same race in 2012, Rewilding sadly lost his life following a fatal injury in just his next start at Ascot, the scene of his greatest triumph. The way he scorched home on the Ascot turf in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, however, will surely never be forgotten.
This year’s race sees the return of Sea Of Class in what looks like yet another high-quality renewal, can she or Magical follow in the hoofprints of other famous fillies before them, such as Ouija Board and Bosra Sham, to win this prestigious prize? Or, could Crystal Ocean finally add that elusive first Group 1 win to his track record for Sir Michael Stoute and Frankie Dettori? There is strong international interest in the form of Waldgeist and Japanese-raider Deidre, meaning Ascot have moved the start time of the race forward so that it can be watched and enjoyed by fans around the world.
Such is the fame surrounding Royal Ascot: everyone wants to be a part of this unique occasion.
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