Society Rocks for Fanshawe and Cosgrave

In the winner’s enclosure after Society Rock’s victory in the Golden Jubilee Stakes.  Image courtesy of racingfotos.com

Society Rock, trained in Newmarket by James Fanshawe, put up a fine performance to win the six furlong Golden Jubilee Stakes, the third sprint race in the QIPCO British Champions Series, at Royal Ascot this afternoon.

Runner-up in the race a year ago behind Starspangledbanner, he went one better under a great ride from Pat Cosgrave, leading inside the final furlong and holding runner-up Monsieur Chevalier by half a length.

When Star Witness, the runner-up in Tuesday’s King Stand Stakes over a furlong shorter trip, surged to the front well over a furlong from home, he looked all set to score another famous Royal Ascot victory for an Australian sprinter.

He could not sustain that effort on the rain-softened ground, however, and weakened close home to finish third.

The front three are all likely to lock horns again in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday 9 July, the fourth Series sprint race.

The winning trainer said: "He has never raced before on the ground but he obviously likes it.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with this horse. He was slightly forgotten last year when he was second, but he was never really right afterwards.

"He’s taken his time to fire this spring but his last two bits of work were very good."

The successful jockey added: "A lot of people have doubted this horse on his first two runs this year, but James knew this was the plan.

"He handled the ground well and showed what a good horse he is.

"I ended up getting the splits at the right time.

"All Group Ones are nice but it’s nice to get a first Royal Ascot winner on the board."

To see the full race result, click here.