Teenage jockey Billy Loughnane had a surprising win at Royal Ascot on day one, riding outsider Rashabar to victory at 80-1 odds in the Coventry Stakes, narrowly beating Electrolyte. Loughnane, only 18 years old, expressed his joy at winning and fulfilling his dream of triumphing at such a prestigious event. The top-level Group One winners on Tuesday included Rosallion, Charyn, and Asfoora.
Rosallion, who previously won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, claimed victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes under jockey Sean Levey for trainer Richard Hannon. Asfoora, ridden by Oisin Murphy, won the King Charles III Stakes for Australian trainer Henry Dwyer. Charyn, the favorite at 100-30 odds, secured the opening Queen Anne Stakes for trainer Roger Varian, with jockey Silvestre de Sousa adding another significant win to his record.
The first day of Royal Ascot also saw trainer Sir Mark Prescott achieve his first success at the meeting in 28 years with Pledgeofallegiance winning the Ascot Stakes. Favourite Israr, ridden by Jim Crowley, triumphed in the Wolferton Stakes for trainers John and Thady Gosden. Additionally, the Copper Horse Handicap was won by Belloccio, ridden by William Buick, leaving the Gosdens settling for second place with Lmay.
The Tote Trifecta dividend paid £122,667, with the runner-up priced at 40-1 and third-placed Columnist at 50-1. Despite the odds, Loughnane’s victory as an up-and-coming jockey at such a prestigious event highlighted his talent and potential in the horse racing world. The presence of esteemed individuals like King Charles III and Queen Camilla added to the grandeur of the opening day at Royal Ascot, making it a memorable and exciting event for all involved.