Strong International Field Set For Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

A glittering international field with contenders from Australia, Hong Kong, France and Ireland has assembled for the first running of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, renamed in memory of the late monarch and part of the QIPCO British Champion Series.

The Group 1 climax to the Royal Meeting, formerly the Cork & Orrery, had celebrated the Queen’s landmark length of reign from being renamed the Golden Jubilee in 2002, before being renamed the Diamond Jubilee from 2012-2021 and the Platinum Jubilee last year.

Englishman Richard Gibson has made the journey from Hong Kong with one of their top sprinters Wellington, twice a winner of the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint and, last December, winner of the Longines Hong Kong Sprint under Ryan Moore on the turf at Sha Tin.

He would be the third winner at the meeting for Hong Kong with Cape Of Good Hope successful in this race when it was run at York in 2005 after making the frame three times, running both in the King’s Stand and Jubilee two years running.

Little Brig won the King’s Stand in 2012 and since there has only been one runner from Hong Kong.

I’m delighted with Wellington’s condition

Wellington has met his match in younger rival Lucky Sweynesse this year, finishing only third to the four-year-old in his Chairman’s hat-trick bid.

Gibson, referencing Hong Kong’s lack of grass paddocks, said: “He flew in last Saturday morning and he has a big grin on his face after having his first pick of grass in five years. He has been accompanied by a lead horse and Martyn Meade has kindly let us use the Manton estate.

“He is stabled with Brian Meehan but is trained away from his horses in quarantine. I’m delighted with Wellington’s condition. He did his last piece of work on Thursday and it’s morale boosting that Ryan is on board, showing faith in him.

“The Hong Kong sprint division has always been strong globally and his times have been good. There are not many horses who have won £6m in prize-money. He has to be highly respected.”

Kinross to continue good form?

Kinross is another class performer, who has travelled the world and was unlucky not to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile when third behind Modern Games after being put on the back foot by early scrimmaging.

The versatile six-year-old still finished last year with two Group 1 wins in the Prix de la Foret over seven furlongs and over course and distance in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint on QIPCO British Champions day last October.

Trainer Ralph Beckett said: “He is training really well after a planned long break following his unlucky Breeders’ Cup run when carved up at the start at Keeneland in November. This race was always going to be his first of the year.”

Mauricio Delcher Sanchez won the Jubilee with Equiano in 2008 when he was champion trainer in Spain, but now based in Chantilly, he makes the shorter trip with Coeur de Pierre, third to The Platinum Queen in the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp last October.

Many of last year’s field are back for another crack with Australian sprinter Artorius having got closest to the Godolphin pair Naval Crown and Creative Force in dead-heating for third under Jamie Spencer.

Sam Freedman, who trains Artorius with his father Anthony, said: “He is definitely stronger than last year and has come back a better horse. He was probably not going as well last year on the back of the carnivals. 

“I am a bit more relaxed than last year and not under as much pressure. There is a bit more expectation but last year it was the unknown and whether he was going to measure up – this year we know he is good enough.”

Sacred, second in the 2020 Queen Mary, was beaten just a length into fifth with her strong finish in the race last year.

Chris Richardson, managing director of owner’s Cheveley Park Stud said: “Seven furlongs is her ideal trip as she doesn’t quite get a mile but Ascot’s six is a strong test and she ran her best race last year in the Jubilee. She had three Group 1 winners behind (Highfield Princess, Kinross and Alcohol Free).”

Khaadem went close in fourth in the 2021 running but completed the King’s Stand last year riderless after sitting down in the stalls losing his rider.

Trainer Charlie Hills, who again campaigned him in Meydan over the winter, said: “He won his Group 2 at Goodwood last year. I’m looking forward to running him back over six and was really pleased with his run at Salisbury last time.”

Rohaan, winner of the last two Wokinghams, has won four of his six starts at Ascot and was fourth to Kinross in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint last year, leading home the far side group.

Highfield Princess and Cannonball, second and last respectively in Tuesday’s King’s Stand, also feature in the field of 16.