Royal Ascot: 80-1 Khaadem claims shock win in Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

Khaadem, an 80-1 outsider, claimed a shock victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Ridden by Jamie Spencer, Khaadem turned the biggest-priced winner in the race’s historical past.

It pipped Sacred (9-1) to the road, with 11-4 favorite Highfield Princess ending third.

Frankie Dettori, on the ultimate day of his final look at Royal Ascot, had 5 races however couldn’t add to his profession tally of 81 wins.

The 52-year-old, who will retire on the finish of the season, stated: “It’s been some journey. Thirty-five years. I’ve loved each minute of it.

“I did not actually have time to mirror on all of it as we speak as a result of I used to be so busy. I used to be a bit bit unhappy however I’ve a extremely good run at it.

“When I walked into the weighing room as we speak, I felt like I used to be 16 once more. This place has been fortunate for me.

“Maybe it was a great factor I did not win my final race as I may not have dealt with the razzmatazz.”

Despite not with the ability to bow out with a victory on Saturday, Dettori recorded 4 triumphs throughout the week, most notably in Thursday’s Gold Cup.

The Italian rode Courage Mon Ami (15-2) to glory to assert his ninth Gold Cup, and in addition claimed the Queen’s Vase on Wednesday and two extra wins on Friday.

He is the second most profitable jockey in Royal Ascot historical past behind Lester Piggott, who notched up 116 wins.

In the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, Khaadem, educated by Charlie Hills, began effectively earlier than powering by way of the sphere.

Highfield Princess was among the many leaders all through, however Spencer maintained persistence and, inside the ultimate furlong, Khaadem strode previous the leaders to assert victory.

The win was the second big-priced triumph of the week for Spencer, 43, who rode Witch Hunter (50-1) to victory on Thursday.

“It’s troublesome for me to place into phrases what Jim and Fitri [Hay, owners of Khaadem] have been like as pals to me for a very long time,” he stated.

“Even my youngsters are watching now, and in years earlier than, once I was flying at this assembly, they have been too younger to grasp. Now it is good while you get texts saying, ‘Well carried out’.”

Hills stated he had “all the time believed in” the seven-year-old horse. “He does have his quirks however most sprinters do. It’s simply wonderful that we have got to the place we now have now at his age,” the coach stated.

“I simply actually wished to run him over six [furlongs] right here. Last yr he gained the Group Two over 5 [in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood] and I used to be actually eager to take the blinkers off him and practice him like a correct horse.

“I thought Jamie was the perfect jockey. With this horse, anything can happen.”

Elsewhere at Ascot, PJ McDonald gained his first ever race on the occasion, using Pyledriver (7-2) to glory in the Hardwicke Stakes.

West Wind Blows (13-2) and Changingoftheguard (7-1) got here second and third respectively, however a stewards’ assessment was required after Pyledriver appeared to duck and dive as he hit the entrance.

“He’s a horse that, when he hits the front, he always runs around,” stated McDonald.

“It just goes to show you how much ability he has that he’s not running in a straight line. I straightened him up a few times but he’s the winner and no-one can take that away from him.”

Gary Carroll rode Snellen (12-1) to a slender victory over Aidan O’Brien-trained favorite Pearls and Rubies (7-4) in the Chesham Stakes.

Snellen, educated by Champion Hurdle winner Gavin Cromwell, held off Pearls and Rubies’ late push to present him a second Royal Ascot triumph, as Golden Mind (10/1) and outsider Oddyssey (125/1) have been tied in a useless warmth for third place.

In the Jersey Stakes, Age of Kings (22-1) pulled off one other shock outcome to present O’Brien his fourth win in the race.

It was additionally O’Brien’s fourth win of the week, inserting him alongside John and Thady Gosden on the prime of the standings.

Despite it being Age of Kings’ first race in greater than 300 days, Wayne Lordan rode fiercely to pip Zoology (22-1) and Holloway Boy (28-1) to first place. Favourite Covey, ridden by Dettori, completed sixth.

Jockey-and-trainer group of Hollie Doyle and Archie Watson earned their third success of the week in the Wokingham Stakes Handicap, as Saint Lawrence (22-1) sliced by way of a aggressive pack.

The penultimate race of the day, the Golden Gates Stakes Handicap, was Dettori’s ultimate ever outing at Royal Ascot, however the Italian was denied a fairytale ending as Burdett Road (20-1) romped dwelling forward of co-favourites Lion of War and Local Dynasty (9-2).

The Queen Alexandra Stakes introduced the curtain down on Royal Ascot 2023, with Dawn Rising (2-1) the one favorite to win on the ultimate day.

Top jockey of the week Ryan Moore rode Dawn Rising, educated by Joseph Patrick O’Brien, effectively to assert his 78th Royal Ascot title.