Horse Talk: Jockey provides Moore plaudits for Estimate after victory at Royal Ascot

As predicted here, the Queen’s horse Estimate created history last week, landing the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot to become the first winner of the big race owned by a reigning monarch.

The success of the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old, who was ridden by Ryan Moore, further boosted Ascot’s profile as news of the first royal victory in the Cup was aired worldwide.

News of Estimate’s triumph in the two and a half mile contest, where she battled well in the last furlong, was widely publicised in countries as far away as New Zealand and Australia, and the significance of the victory was not lost on the winning jockey.

Moore said: “She won well, and to do it for the Queen is fantastic. To win the Gold Cup in her colours is exceptional.

“We had a good draw and gained a good early position, and because she relaxes so well you’re able to keep her there. She was always holding the others when they came at her.”

Attention now turns to Ireland for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday, where Sugar Boy is tipped to beat a host of more fancied runners, including Ruler Of The World, Libertarian and Galileo Rock, who filled the places at the Epsom Derby.

Sugar Boy impressed in April, winning a Group 3 at Sandown where he finished ahead of both Libertarian and Galileo Rock and connections have targeted this race.

Simon Jackson is a freelance racing journalist based in north west London. He can be reached at jacksonsports1@yahoo.co.uk for press and PR enquiries, or racing/betting related news stories and features.