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Global Weekly Review: Superb Royal Ascot as Godolphin register 250th G1 triumph

J A McGrath

What an achievement, and what an occasion, on which to pull it off. The timing could not have been better.

Godolphin reached the significant milestone of 250 Group 1 winners when Barney Roy lived up to the great promise displayed early in his career by landing the St James's Palace Stakes in brilliant style on the opening day of Royal Ascot.

In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, this notable achievement came 40 years to the day that the current Ruler of Dubai made a trip to Brighton (UK) to watch his filly Hatta win a small two-year-old race.

That minor victory for Hatta was Sheikh Mohammed's first win as an owner in Britain, and marked the start of four decades of passionate, dedicated involvement in racing worldwide.

To have registered 250 wins at the highest level comes only as a result of expert planning, astute purchasing, as well as superb horsemanship and training. The Godolphin ranks have housed that brand of talent since 1992, when Sheikh Mohammed created the stable.

On a highly-successful week for Godolphin, the Richard Hannon-trained Barney Roy was among the most glittering stars, closely shadowed by Ribchester, who showed sheer class and courage to overcome an awkward draw to win the opening G1 Queen Anne Stakes.

Trainer Richard Fahey, who had no hesitation in declaring Ribchester the best he has trained, had been contemplating a step up in distance for the son of Darley stallion Iffraaj.

Although a mile and a quarter should eventually come within his comfort zone, there are plenty of options looming in the one mile category.

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor's high regard for fast-improving Benbatl was justified when the colt went on to win the G3 Hampton Court Stakes. He had previously finished second in the G2 Dante Stakes at York and fifth in the G1 Derby at Epsom.

For such an inexperienced young horse, Benbatl has done very well, and the handsome son of Dubawi can certainly be aimed high in the second half of the season.

Roger Charlton trained Godolphin's Atty Persse to make it three wins from four starts with a brilliant performance in the King George V Stakes. The success was yet another fine effort from this impressive colt, who became sire Frankel's first Royal Ascot winner.

Finally, on the training front, Godolphin's Charlie Appleby produced arguably one of the most skillful feats of the week by saddling Rare Rhythm to win the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes following a break of 371 days off the racecourse.

Appleby's other winner was the juvenile Sound And Silence in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes.

Godolphin finished the five days with a total of six wins and more than £1.2-million in prizemoney.

It was a superb week too for two retained Godolphin jockeys. William Buick finished the week with four winners, which included Ribchester in the Queen Anne, while James Doyle registered two, Barney Roy as well as the G1 Ascot Gold Cup aboard Big Orange.