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16 Jun 2020

Circus Maximus lands Queen Anne glory in Royal battle of the big guns.

The big guns came out to play to kick off Royal Ascot in style as Ryan Moore and Circus Maximus narrowly ground it out pip Frankie Dettori aboard Terebellum on the line.

It looked as if Frankie Dettori would once again be centre stage at Royal Ascot as he coaxed his mount to the front around a furlong and a half out. However, Circus Maximus’s stamina edge came into play 50 yards out as he dived past the Godolphin filly to win by a nose.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge was always up with the pace having broke well under Moore, with Marie’s Diamond setting the pace. Similarly Terebellum was always near the leaders which turned out to be the correct place to be with plenty of horses towards the rear unable to land a blow in the contest.

The Mark Johnston-trained Marie’s Diamond finished the race in third, again proving that it paid dividends to be up with the pace in the race.

It was yet another landmark win for trainer Aidan O’Brien who registered his 150th UK Group 1 victory.