Aussie speedster Merchant Navy sinks rivals at Royal Ascot

Ryan Moore guided Aussie sprinter Merchant Navy to a dramatic victory, claiming the Diamond Jubilee Stakes – and securing Royal Ascot’s top jockey crown, writes James Toney.

The speedy colt, trained for his two race northern hemisphere campaign by Aidan O’Brien, held off French raider City Light in a photo finish in what is likely to be his last-ever race.

Moore kept his head while all around were losing theirs, in one of the most fascinating races of the week, part of the Qipco British Champions Series.

Europe’s top-rated sprinter Harry Angel bucked and reared in the stalls and missed the break, the favourite now winless in five trips to Ascot.

Wesley Ward’s American challenger Bound for Nowhere then struck for home with two furlongs to go before Moore seized the lead in thrilling fashion in the closing strides.

“I thought he would win easier to be honest,” admitted Moore.

“In the run-in the American horse leaned into me and we got very tight, which meant he just lost his rhythm for a second. If he’d have got beat, I’d have felt it was very unlucky.”

O’Brien admits he’d like to keep the horse at his Ballydoyle stables for a crack at the July Cup but admits stallion duties are his likely next target.

“The plan was that he’d run here and then go back to Australia, as I think there’s a lot of mares waiting on him there,” he said.

“He is booked to go back home, but wouldn’t it be great for another go at Newmarket?

“We’re over the moon with him, really. He’s always been very straightforward since he arrived. I think we’ve just seen how classy he is.”

The victory secured Moore his fifth consecutive top jockey title at Royal Ascot – a prize he has now won eight times in his career.

While it was not from the vintage of three years ago, when he made nine trips to the winners’ enclosure, Moore banked five winners and three third places to edge out nearest rival Frankie Dettori.

The popular Italian – who missed last year’s Royal Ascot due to injury – was seeking his first top jockey title at the meeting he adores since 2004, but can have no complaints with his week after four wins, one second and four thirds.

Meanwhile, O’Brien just held off John Gosden to once again finish the meeting’s champion trainer, both banking four wins but the Ballydoyle handler edging ahead with four second places to Gosden’s three.