Four Royal Ascot Replays Every Racing Fan Should Watch
Why watch Royal Ascot races again? Royal Ascot is a highlight of the world’s horse racing calendar. Horses, trainers and jockeys battle out on one of the world’s best-known racecourses year on year, with each Royal Ascot setting itself aside to etching a moment of its own into racing’s long history.
Frankel Destroys the Field in the Queen Anne Stakes (2012)
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Why this race is remembered
Some races are hard fought. Some are merely demonstrations of dominance. Sir Henry Cecil-trained Frankel’s run in the 2012 Queen Anne Stakes is one of the most sensational ever seen at Royal Ascot.
The once-beaten marvel touched down at Ascot with more hype around him than any modern racing horse.
Held by jockey Tom Queally, Frankel tanked into the race before unleashing an eye-watering burst of acceleration to leave his field trailing in his wake. Frankel came home 11 lengths clear of multiple Group 1 winning Excelebration. The performance is, in the eyes of many, one of the best of all time at the fixture. Frankel’s win wasn’t merely a win; it was proof of a horse at an unprecedented level.
Race Highlights
- Winner: Frankel
- Race: Queen Anne Stakes
- Jockey: Tom Queally
- Trainer: Sir Henry Cecil
- Winning Margin: 11 lengths
- Why It Matters: One of the greatest Royal Ascot performances of all time.
Black Caviar Survives a Royal Ascot Thriller (2012)
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Why this race is remembered
Black Caviar – 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes One of the biggest stars in the Australian racing firmament arrived for Royal Ascot an unknown quantity in the UK racing world, but the world quickly learned about Black Caviar after she made the trip across to England with an unblemished record from 21 starts, regarded as one of the quickest animals on four legs. Her running in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes was the biggest international draw of the Royal meeting. The queen of the turf was comfortable on the pace in this contest for a majority of the way but felt the pressure inside the final furlong when jockey Luke Nolen asked her for one massive effort to get her over the line in front and maintain her perfect record. The race was a frantic conclusion and remains one of the most iconic finishs of the Royal meeting of recent years.
Race Highlights
- Winner: Black Caviar
- Race: Diamond Jubilee Stakes
- Jockey: Luke Nolen
- Why It Matters: A global superstar conquering Royal Ascot in dramatic fashion.
Yeats Creates Royal Ascot History in the Gold Cup (2009)
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Why this race is remembered
Arguably the supreme test of stamina that exists, not many horses can rival the achievements of Yeats in this prestigious 2 ½-mile contest.
Under Aidan O’Brien’s training, Yeats came to Royal Ascot in 2009 with the intention of completing an astonishing four-peat. Facing some of Europe’s premier stayers, Yeats demonstrated once again his exceptional endurance and longevity. The feat cemented his place in the pantheon of Royal Ascot legends and he became the only horse to have won the Ascot Gold Cup four times in a row. The success undoubtedly ensured that he would be ranked as one of the finest staying horses ever trained.
Race Highlights
- Winner: Yeats
- Race: Ascot Gold Cup
- Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- Why It Matters: Completed an unprecedented fourth consecutive Gold Cup victory.
Estimate Wins the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gold Cup (2013)
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Why this race is remembered
For Royal Ascot winners come into special category. For many, they win the Gold Cup due to what was between the ears rather than the legs. For some it was due to the story.
In 2013 there was an unprecedented scenario when Estimate owned by the Queen landed the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
She was the first horse owned by a ruling monarch to capture the famous prize. The image was iconic as the Queen was able to share in a triumph by her own horse to provide one of the most famous moments of recent Royal Ascot.
Race Highlights
- Winner: Estimate
- Race: Gold Cup
- Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
- Owner: Queen Elizabeth II
- Why It Matters: A historic Royal Ascot victory for the reigning monarch.
Why Royal Ascot Creates Racing Legends
But beyond a mere series of races. Royal Ascot is where heroes are made and legends are born.
From Frankel’s utter domination, Black Caviar’s famous international success, Yeats’ endurance marathon and Estimate’s Royal success, we take a look at the best that the Sport’s biggest stage has produced.
Watch, or re-watch some of the best of these incredible racing replays. Whether your an introduction to horse racing, or just fancy a walk down memory lane