Blue Point emerged victorious ahead of old rival Battaash in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot for a second year running. The five-year old came into the race on the back of success last year when he successfully fended off the challenge of Battaash and another classic encounter between the two was expected.
Blue Point has had an excellent year since they last met at Ascot, winning three races in Dubai. He was the first of the two to commit for home, and while Battaash made a late charge, the James Doyle-ridden horse came over the line first.
Doyle, who was standing in for the injured William Buick, was thrilled to finally win on board Blue Point. “It gives me immense satisfaction that I didn’t mess it up! I’ve ridden him twice before and it didn’t really work out,” he said. “I’ve done plenty of homework and a few weeks ago Charlie said, ‘Let’s just pop you on him as he is tricky’.
That’s why Charlie is the great trainer that he is – he thinks about all these little things.” A clearly emotional Appleby added: “He’s one of the old warriors in the yard now and everyone at home has done a fantastic job with this horse.
“I knew when he came under the pump, he’s always going to find for you. Battaash travelled supremely well and at one point I thought we were really going to have to dig deep, but once they got into a duel I knew our fella wasn’t going to lie down.”
