Shaquille Shines To Land Commonwealth Cup In Dramatic Renewal

Royal Ascot provides memorable moments by this dozen, and today is no exception.

Julie Camacho can now call herself a Group 1-winning trainer as she saddled Shaquille to an astonishing victory in the Commonwealth Cup on the biggest stage at Royal Ascot, her first at the Royal meeting.

Kudos goes to Oisin Murphy who showed his worth with potentially the ride of the meeting. His mount Shaquille reared up in the stalls and completely missed the break. A patient Murphy manouvered the horse into the race at the tail, with 12 rivals ahead.

Fancied odds-on-favourite Little Big Bear looked as though he had the race sewn up as he headed long-time leader, Swingalong, but that wasn’t the case.

Murphy and Shaquille came from the clouds two furlongs out and proceeded to head the leaders. The pair cruised past Ryan Moore aboard the favourite and extended to a sensational victory.

Oisin Murphy had three second-place’s at the Royal meeting, but there’s no doubt he deserved to be in the Winners Enclosure for this one.

I never thought I’d be celebrating a Group 1 winner at Royal Ascot

Murphy said: “The race was almost over at the start. I had to take a deep breath and hope they had gone too fast up front and would slow down at the end. It was a top, top-class performance from the horse. I am thrilled. It’s a fantastic feeling.”

Camacho, added: “I felt nervous all day, and a bit sick before the race. I thought Shaquille had blown any chance when the gates opened. He was good, wasn’t he?

“It’s a massive day for everyone at the stable, and for his owners. I never thought I’d be celebrating a Group 1 winner at Royal Ascot.”