Gstaad. (Megan Coggin)
Royal Ascot Release
ASCOT, Berkshire, England—Gstaad (7/2F) emulated his sire Starspangledbanner by winning at Royal Ascot as he comfortably accounted for 19 rivals in the G2 Coventry Stakes.
The unbeaten colt, who is a half-brother to dual G1 winner Vandeek, defied greenness to score at Navan on debut and had clearly learned plenty from that experience.
With the field spread right across the track, Gstaad powered to a three-length victory under Ryan Moore, despite racing alone down the centre through the final two furlongs. Do Or Do Not (80/1) and Coppull (66/1) filled the frame for Ed Walker and Clive Cox respectively.
Gstaad, who was providing Aidan O’Brien with an 11th success in the six-furlong contest, jumped to the top of the Ballydoyle pecking order after injury ruled out stablemate Albert Einstein.
O’Brien said: “I am absolutely delighted. Gstaad looks a very good horse, doesn’t he? We have always loved him. He had only had the one run, but he has always worked like a good horse.
“He is big, scopey, has a good stride and is very genuine; he goes with his head down and he has loads of speed. He looks like he will get further than six furlongs.
“Ryan rode him very positive. He let him find himself in the first half and then he came home very well. I was surprised tacking up how big he is. He got the trip very well, so I am delighted for everyone.
“We are just so lucky to be working with such unbelievable horses, and Ryan riding them is incredible. It is a big team and it’s a privilege to be involved in the whole thing.”
Asked if Group Ones will be on the card for this horse next, O’Brien said: “I would imagine so.”
On Albert Einstein, Aidan said: “He felt like something we didn’t have before. The first day he worked, he was probably the most different horse we have ever seen – he was so quick. We haven’t had horses as quick as he is but as big as he is. He is very exciting.”
Ed Walker said of Do Or Do Not: “I was surprised, to be honest! The Coventry isn’t a race I’d have thought I’ll be winning any time soon. Fair play to Simon [Sadler, owner] – he wanted to roll the dice. I was quite happy to go and find a £40,000 novice at Carlisle, but he ran an absolute blinder and I’m really proud of him. “He is a tough horse – both Hector [Crouch] at York and Tom [Marquand] today said they thought he was a smart horse. He is just so laidback at home, so chilled, he probably doesn’t show you a huge amount, but that’s how you want them.”
