Colm O'Donoghue wins the Queens Vase at Ascot
Sword Fighter wins the Queens Vase canny front running ride from Colm O'Donoghue
Huge congratulations to Epsom trainer Laura Mongan with Harbour Law finishing a close 2nd
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The Aidan O'Brien-trained Sword Fighter was a surprise winner of the the final race on day four of the Royal meeting.
Under a superb front-running ride by Colm O'Donoghue, the son of Galileo was able to fend off all challengers in the home straight to register a game three-quarter length success.
O'Donoghue, an integral part of the Ballydoyle operation, was registering his first Royal Ascot winner and was delighted the performance. He said: "I got it very easy in front to be fair and Sword Fighter stays well. He had won in heavy ground [Sligo 1 May] before, I know that was only a maiden but it helps and Aidan trains them for the day.
"It's ground that if you handle it, it is very hard to make up ground on it. Obviously, me and the second [Harbour Law] got into a nice position so once we were handling the ground it was going to take a good horse to get by us.
"Sword Fighter has done everything right. He settled and travelled and is not short of speed either. We picked up from a mile out and he was strong to the line.
"He has plenty of stamina and there are not many more superlatives you can give to Galileo. He is an unbelievable sire who gives them lots of heart a great action and speed and stamina.
"The St Leger could possibly suit him. It was one of those things where I got in a position where others were going to find it hard to get back to me. I'll leave the future up to Aidan."
The victory capped what has been a superb week for Ballydoyle so far with the colt's success the fifth for Aidan O'Brien at this year's meeting and his 53rd overall at Royal Ascot. O'Donoghue remarked: "It's very special and it's important to Mr Magnier, Mr Smith and Mr Tabor to come and here and have winners. They love this meeting and the horses are primed to win on the day. It is great to be part of it."
http://www.racingbetter.co.uk/royal_ascot/2016/queens_vase.html
Sword Fighter wins the Queens Vase canny front running ride from Colm O'Donoghue
Huge congratulations to Epsom trainer Laura Mongan with Harbour Law finishing a close 2nd
|
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Sword Fighter was a surprise winner of the the final race on day four of the Royal meeting.
Under a superb front-running ride by Colm O'Donoghue, the son of Galileo was able to fend off all challengers in the home straight to register a game three-quarter length success.
O'Donoghue, an integral part of the Ballydoyle operation, was registering his first Royal Ascot winner and was delighted the performance. He said: "I got it very easy in front to be fair and Sword Fighter stays well. He had won in heavy ground [Sligo 1 May] before, I know that was only a maiden but it helps and Aidan trains them for the day.
"It's ground that if you handle it, it is very hard to make up ground on it. Obviously, me and the second [Harbour Law] got into a nice position so once we were handling the ground it was going to take a good horse to get by us.
"Sword Fighter has done everything right. He settled and travelled and is not short of speed either. We picked up from a mile out and he was strong to the line.
"He has plenty of stamina and there are not many more superlatives you can give to Galileo. He is an unbelievable sire who gives them lots of heart a great action and speed and stamina.
"The St Leger could possibly suit him. It was one of those things where I got in a position where others were going to find it hard to get back to me. I'll leave the future up to Aidan."
The victory capped what has been a superb week for Ballydoyle so far with the colt's success the fifth for Aidan O'Brien at this year's meeting and his 53rd overall at Royal Ascot. O'Donoghue remarked: "It's very special and it's important to Mr Magnier, Mr Smith and Mr Tabor to come and here and have winners. They love this meeting and the horses are primed to win on the day. It is great to be part of it."
http://www.racingbetter.co.uk/royal_ascot/2016/queens_vase.html
