Triple Time causes shock in Queen Anne Stakes
The opening race on day one of the 2023 Royal Ascot meeting produced what could prove to be one of the shocks of the week when the 33-1-priced Triple Time (Frankel) landed the spoils in the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr 1, 1m).
Making his maiden start in Group 1 company following a win in both Group 3 and Listed contests, the Kevin Ryan-trained four-year-old entire was always front rank and, despite pulling hard throughout the first half of the contest, dug deep to repel the persistent challenge of Inspiral (Frankel) and Frankie Dettori to score by a neck.
Yesterday’s win was jockey Neil Callan’s first at the royal meeting since returning from a stint in Hong Kong, having ridden five before that spell, and his emotion was there for all to see crossing the line, letting out a roar.
“I’m speechless for once and a bit emotional as well,” Callan said. “When I came back from riding in Hong Kong I didn’t really know what to expect. I rode very competitively there as I did here before I left. But you are not guaranteed anything in this game and you have to work for what you get.
“I was lucky that when I came back Kevin Ryan gave me some support. Kevin was so confident in this horse and said he’s the best horse he’s trained. It’s fantastic.”
Ryan, who was saddling his ninth Royal Ascot winner said: “We’ve still got some very important horses to run, but it’s lovely to get it on the first day and we can enjoy the rest of the week. It shows the wellbeing of the horses, as well, which is always a good sign.”
Inspiral, who was slowly away from the gates as she has been in the past, could now be aimed at either the Sussex Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Goodwood on July 26, or for a repeat success in the Prix Jacques Le Marois (Gr 1, 1600m), having landed that contest last year.
“There were a lot of good horses behind her, so we’re happy,” John Gosden, who trains the filly in partnership with his son Thady, said. “We’ll now look at races like the Sussex Stakes and Prix Jacques Le Marois. The main thing is she’s back on song.”
Having finished a short-neck second in the Prix d’Ispahan (Gr 1, 1800m) last time out, the David Simcock-trained Light Infantry (Fast Company) was again placed at the highest level as he finished a further two and a half lengths back in third.
Ciaron Maher, who trained Light Infantry at his Cranbourne-based yard in the build up to last year’s Golden Eagle (1500m), revealed that the four-year-old will now go for the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 28.
“He came over for the Golden Eagle last year and we’ll have him again when he comes over this spring,” Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, told ANZ Bloodstock News.
“It was a huge run, he’s run super. He’s improving all the time. He’s a lovely, medium-framed horse.
“He’ll be back for the Cox Plate. I think he’ll run ten furlongs, and there’s a host of nice races for him. He loves quick ground and he can back up every two weeks or quicker, he thrives on racing, so he’s perfect for Australia.”
Triple Time (4 c Frankel – Reem Three by Mark Of Esteem) is closely related to Group 1 winner Ajman Princess (Teofilo) and Group 2 scorer Ostilio (Cape Blanco) as well as being a half-brother to five winners including Group 3 winner Cape Byron (Shamardal) and Listed scorer Third Realm (Sea The Stars).
Triple Time’s Queen Anne Stakes success provided Frankel (Galileo) with a 12th Royal Ascot winner, with the meeting being the scene of his greatest victory when landing the 2012 renewal of yesterday’s Group 1 by a breathtaking 11 lengths.