California Chrome camp dreaming of Prince of Wales’s Stakes glory

California Chrome wins easily in America. Image courtesy of @HRTV.

US star California Chrome will look to demonstrate his class on the grandest international stage after he was declared amongst 9 rivals for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday at Royal Ascot.

The four-year-old, who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes last season before narrowly missing out on the American Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes, has been left in at the final declaration stage with 2014 winning-jockey William Buick set to ride.

QIPCO Champion Stakes third Free Eagle is also engaged, with Series star The Grey Gatsby, French raider Ectot and John Gosden’s Western Hymn joined by New Zealander Criterion and Japanese Group 1 winner Spielberg among the contenders. Sir Michael Stoute’s Cannock Chase will be ridden by top jockey Ryan Moore,

However, California Chrome’s trainer Art Sherman is hoping that his stable icon can rise to the occasion.  

“It’s my first time running a horse over here and it’s been great – I’ve loved it,” he said. “At my age [he is in his late seventies] I am just enjoying the ride and having a horse like California Chrome is what every trainer dreams of. He has developed quite a following back home.

“I am hoping that he can handle the course and the right-handed turn. He’s a very smart horse and looked good when he worked at Ascot a few days ago.

“I’ve got my top hat and we’re ready to go. I’m delighted about the chance of maybe meeting the Queen – I think it’ll be cool.”

Prince of Wales’s Stakes declarations:

California Chrome, Cannock Chase,  Criterion, Ectot, Free Eagle, Gailo Chop, Spielberg, The Corsican, The Grey Gatsby and Western Hymn.