Godolphin's Royal Ascot Resurgence Continues - Ombudsman Claims Prince of Wales's Stakes in Thrilling Finish

(Photo: British Champion Series)

Day 2 of Royal Ascot was alive with excitement today as Ombudsman, under a masterful ride by William Buick, triumphed in a pulsating renewal of the Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group 1). The victory, hard-fought and ultimately dominant, saw the four-year-old colt dig deep in the closing stages to deny a strong challenge, with last year's British Champion Stakes winner Anmaat (Jim Crowley) finishing second and See The Fire (Oisin Murphy) taking third. Pre-race favourite Los Angeles (Ryan Moore) delivered a surprisingly flat performance. Crucially, Ombudsman's win also secured him an automatic "Win and You're In" berth into the $5 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) later this year.

This triumph marks a significant moment for Godolphin, Sheikh Mohammed's global racing operation, representing their latest Group 1 victory at Royal Ascot. The familiar royal blue silks last tasted Group 1 success at this prestigious meeting with Naval Crown in the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Stakes, making Ombudsman's success a welcome return to the pinnacle of the podium.

The 2000-meter Group 1 contest, one of the highlights of the Royal Meeting, lived up to its billing for drama from the start. Los Angeles took an early prominent position, while Anmaat settled towards the rear from a wide draw. As the race unfolded, Continuous (Wayne Lordan) set a strong early pace, with Los Angeles tracking. Ombudsman, initially positioned towards the back of the field, was kept quietly ridden through the first half of the race.

Approaching the final half-mile and turning for home, Los Angeles began to press the leader. However, it was approaching the last two furlongs that the race's defining moments occurred. Ombudsman, still trying to find a clear path, found himself in a challenging position. With rivals pressing hard, notably Anmaat (Jim Crowley) looming large on his flank and See The Fire (Oisin Murphy) beginning to motor on the outside, Ombudsman and Buick faced a critical test. Instead of panicking, Buick demonstrated exceptional strength and tactical awareness. He found another gear in Ombudsman, urging him with every ounce of his energy. The colt, showing immense courage and a willingness to battle through the adversity at that crucial point, responded magnificently. What initially looked like a difficult, perhaps insurmountable, challenge in that final quarter-mile was expertly navigated by Buick, who coaxed every last drop of effort from his mount. Ombudsman, with sheer grit and a powerful surge, gradually asserted his dominance, pulling away in the final 50 meters to secure a memorable victory over the game Anmaat, with See The Fire snatching third.

"He's a truly courageous horse," a beaming Buick commented just moments after the race. "I knew we were in a fight there approaching the last two furlongs, but he just kept finding. It's a testament to his character and the training team's excellent work."

While Ombudsman celebrated a well-deserved victory, and Anmaat (Jim Crowley) and See The Fire (Oisin Murphy) filled the minor placings with creditable efforts, the race proved to be a significant disappointment for supporters of Los Angeles. Touted as a strong favourite in the build-up, the highly regarded runner never truly threatened. Despite a prominent position early on, Los Angeles appeared to struggle to find its rhythm as the pace quickened, ultimately fading in the straight and finishing well down the field. The reasons for his subpar performance will undoubtedly be scrutinized by his connections, but on the day, he was simply outclassed by a more determined rival.

Prince Of Wales Stakes Full Replay (Video: At The Races)

Ombudsman's triumph adds a prestigious Group 1 to his burgeoning resume and further cements William Buick's reputation as one of the world's premier jockeys. This success also highlights the superb form of trainer John Gosden, who trains Ombudsman in partnership with his son, Thady. The Clarehaven Stables team has enjoyed a fantastic Royal Meeting so far, with Ombudsman's win marking their fourth victory of the week. Their previous successes include Field of Gold's commanding performance in the St James's Palace Stakes and Crimson Advocate's triumph in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes, showcasing the breadth of their talent across various distances and age groups.

(18/6/2025)