Accidental Agent books place in history books

Bishop allows himself a smile as Accidental Agent swoops late in the Queen Anne Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Eve Johnson Houghton wept tears of joy after Accidental Agent was a surprise 33-1 winner of the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The trainer, securing her first Group One success, admitted she had been hoping for a place at best. Instead, Accidental Agent pounced in the closing stages under Charles Bishop to edge out Lord Glitters and the luckless Lightning Spear.

The market leaders, Rhododendron and Benbatl disappointed.

She said: “I thought I was tilting at windmills and I dreamt about being third. I thought ‘my god, I’m going to be placed’ – there was an awful lot of screaming going on.

“I just can’t believe it. I felt sorry for those around us during the race. They must be deaf now! You might have to man the lifeboats as there will be floods of tears.

“She was bred by my mum. My mum is the little woman in a flood of tears. What a legend she is. I am so proud of her and I had a little bit on at 50-1 to pay for the party.

Gaie Johnson Houghton, the owner-breeder, said: “It’s what dreams are made of.”

Bishop was equally jubilant, saying: “In the final furlong I thought I’d be third, then once he got into top gear he just motored and was going away at the line.”

David O’Meara was thrilled with the half-length second, Lord Glitters. He said: “We are delighted with that and obviously he has got a huge engine in him. He might have preferred a stronger gallop, but many other horses in the race might have been the same.

“He does really like it here. He has had three visits and has been second, first and second.”

Lightning Spear was finishing placed in a Group 1 race for a sixth time but has still yet to win one.

“He seems to struggle up the hill here,” trainer David Simcock said. “He has done it a couple of times in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and in this two years ago. He has not sustained his run. He hit the front a long way from home.

“I’m very proud of him at his age and he has run well. The other two horses have come from well off the pace. He will go to the Sussex and I would very much think he will go to the Foret as well.”