Who Dares Wins landed the final race of Royal Ascot 2020, the marathon Queen Alexandra Stakes over an extended two miles and five furlongs.
It was a second winner at the Royal Meeting for a horse owned by a Henry Ponsonby syndicate and a third for trainer Alan King.
Jockey Tom Marquand was enjoying his first Royal Ascot success – a day after his girlfriend Hollie Doyle rode her first Royal Ascot winner on Scarlet Dragon (also owned by a Henry Ponsonby syndicate) in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap.
Returned the Evens favourite, Who Dares Wins hit the front entering the final furlong and stayed on well to defeat The Grand Visir by a neck.
Tom Marquand said: “Obviously, we [he and Hollie Doyle] always have a joke about competitiveness. But in all honesty watching her riding the winner the other day when I was in behind, just made me think that I want it even more. I am delighted for her, it is phenomenal.
“For Henry to have us both on board on both horses in the same week, and both for Alan King as well – it is incredible.
“Henry has supported us both. I rode Who Dares Wins first when I was a 5lb claimer – he has been an incredible horse all the way through.
“Similarly, Scarlet Dragon was the horse I lost my claim on, then Hollie rode him for numerous wins too. It is fairytale end to the week really.
“We are extremely fortunate to getting on horses like this, especially this lad. He has won a Grade 2 over hurdles, a Northumberland Plate. You don’t come across them very often, and when you do, it is hard to keep them. We are just in a very fortunate position to keep the rides on them.
“In all honesty, the week was looking pretty tough. Coming into the week, I had my best book of rides and I have been very fortunate that I’ve been here every year since I was an apprentice for five years.
“I was coming in every day thinking this could be it, but obviously I just needed to get that winner on the board.
“Me and Hollie drove down together today. Obviously, we’ll enjoy it tonight. It has been a great week and it’s a fantastic way to end Royal Ascot.”
Henry Ponsonby said: “Raise a glass to Alan King and his staff! He [Alan king] doesn’t like going to racecourses that do not have bars!
“We also had a fourth on Thursday trained by with Eve Johnson Houghton, HMS President. We have had an unbelievable week!
“Alan fully deserves it. I think he has trained me more Flat winners for me than jumpers in the 15 years I have had horses with him.”
4.40pm Queen Alexandra Stakes
- Who Dares Wins [drawn 3] Alan King 8-9-02 Tom Marquand Evens Fav
- The Grand Visir [9] Ian Williams 6-9-02 Richard Kingscote 11/4
- Mukha Magic [6] Gay Kelleway 4-9-01 Ben Curtis 40/1
Karen can usually be found glued to her computer or at the stables. Having edited several national magazines she co-founded Eclipse Magazine in 2008 after realising that many of her friends were nervous about going racing due to lack of information – what to wear, how to bet etc.
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