Undrafted snatches Diamond Jubilee glory from fancied Beau

Undrafted won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes under Frankie Dettori

There was something of a shock in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes as US raider Undrafted defeated the hotly-tipped Australian sprinter Brazen Beau in a tight finish.

Brazen Beau had been the talk of the town before the race, his strapping physique common to so many Australian sprinters catching the eye in the Ascot paddock. Drawn six, he nonetheless ended up racing solo towards the near side, as the two groups that had initially formed merged by halfway.

In the main pack, Undrafted was tucked in on the far side of them by Frankie Dettori and, as Astaire kept on in front and Music Master and Mustajeeb came to challenge, he snuck round them to become Brazen Beau’s main challenger.

It was clear early in the final furlong that the pair had the race between them, though separated by half the width of the track they were difficult to split. However, with 100 yards to go Undrafted was obviously in front by a narrow margin and he ultimately prevailed by half a length. Astaire ran a fine race to finish third, two and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

Backers of the runner-up certainly have reason to feel unlucky, as he hadn’t enjoyed the same cover and tow through the race afforded to the winner.

Undrafted becomes Wesley Ward’s biggest Royal Ascot winner to date, following his notable success with two-year-olds at the meeting over the last half-decade or so. The horse wasn’t a stranger to these shores, either, having finished fourth in last year’s July Cup at Newmarket.

Afterwards, Dettori said: "Wesley is a good friend of mine and a big supporter so it gives me so much pleasure to win this for him."

"I didn’t want to kick too soon, he finishes so strongly."

The win was a particularly good tonic for Ward: "We had a rough night, my daughter got a touch of the Bell’s palsy so we were in hospital all night. Thankfully Derrick Smith (of Coolmore) got us fixed up with a great doctor and she was determined to be here today."

"This is unreal – it’s really special for my little girl. This is the biggest race I’ve ever won, including Breeders’ Cups and everything. He’s been training great, he really has, and Frankie just has the magic touch."

"I don’t know about the July Cup; we’ll have a think about everything."