Battaash produced a dominant performance on day one of Royal Ascot to win the King’s Stand Stakes at the third time of asking.
Trained by Charlie Hills, the six-year-old burst out of the stalls to head straight to the front and he refused to give up that position, winning by two-and-a-quarter lengths from stablemate Equilateral and Liberty Beach in third.
It was a fantastic display from Battaash, who benefitted from the absence of Blue Point this year, and he will be difficult to beat in the Coolmore Nunthorpe at York in August, a race he won in 2019.
Winning jockey Jim Crowley, who had picked up a winner in the first race of the day, said: “I had to hold him for two furlongs as he was on a bit of a going day today and wanting to charge off ? my only concern was trying to get the fractions right on him as there was nothing quick enough to lead him. When the gates opened today, he was gone.
“Every time he wins it feels special, as when he wins he wins well. I was a bit worried the stiff uphill finish might find him out on his first run, but he’s just a real superstar.
“He’s won the big three now ? the King‘s Stand, the Abbaye and the Nunthorpe. Hopefully he’s not finished yet ? I’m very grateful to be riding him.”
