Charyn blazes to Queen Anne glory for De Sousa and Varian

Silvestre De Sousa’s return to British shores continues to shine, with Charyn taking the Queen Anne Stakes, the curtain-raiser on day one of the Royal meeting.

Trained by Roger Varian, Charyn has been consistent in his 2024 campaign having registered Listed and Group 2 success before placing in the Al Shaqab Lockinge last month. He stepped up in the Ascot sunshine to produce a fine two-and-a-quarter-length victory under a jubilant Silvestre De Sousa ride.

The two French raiders, Big Rock and Facteur Cheval, edged towards the far-side rail when leaving the stalls, with Lockinge winner Audience leading the field on the near-side. The French horses drifted back to the pack, by which time De Sousa surged his mount forward two-furlongs out and continued to extend, finishing ahead of Docklands and Maljoom.

It’s another big race victory for De Sousa, who landed the QIPCO 1000 Guineas for Roger Varian at Newmarket last month. He told ITV: “Wow, it’s amazing. Roger had a lot of belief in this horse and so did I. What I did there was very little, I just sat there and waited for the right moment but he won quite nicely.  He’s such a gentleman and you just have to ask him the question.”

It’s a 13th Royal Ascot win for Roger Varian, but a first at Group 1 level. He told ITV: “It doesn’t get any better, a Group 1 at Royal Ascot and in the first race of the meeting. I’m so delighted and for his owner Nurlan Bizakov, who has invested so much in the game and supported me for a number of years. For him, I’m so pleased and he’s building a great operation. For my team I’m delighted, everyone works so hard at home. It’s a big day and we’ll enjoy it.” 

The Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood may be in Charyn’s sights next month.