State Of Rest conquers another international Group 1 in Prince of Wales’s Stakes

International affair? This year’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot certainly had that feel about it and it was the Irish contingent that came out on top thanks to State of Rest.

The pre-race build up had largely focused on Bay Bridge, the home nation runner who had been mightly impressive on his previous run in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown Park for an in-form Sir Michael Stoute. However Shane Crosse’s genius in the saddle stole the show.

State Of Rest has been the definition of globetrotter having already won races in France, Australia and USA and now he can add the UK to his CV. From the start it was clear Sean Crosse wanted to make the running.

The opposition, consisting of runners from four countries itself, seemed content to let State Of Rest have a soft lead.

Turning for home Shane Crosse kicked off the bend and caught all of his rivals slightly flat-footed which would prove to be the decisive blow. Bay Bridge struggled to gather himself to land an early response and, although the response cam later in the straight, it was too late as State Of Rest ran through the line powerfully to win by a length from Bay Bridge.

Lord North lost a lot of ground early on as his blind didn’t fully come off at the stalls, and despite a plucky recovery his challenge petered out in the straight.

But this was all about State Of Rest who was giving his trainer Joseph O’Brien a first Royal Ascot winner in the process and continued the fine form of international horses begun by Nature Strip on day one.